It is not surprising to me having had many robust discussions with a
variety of skeptics on a variety of subjects that they assume a cognitive
dysfunction when it comes to making absolute statements in support of
their own pet theories. MMR causes Autism.
I'm not sure that the rights of parents to voice their concerns
should contain statements such as "vacuous" and "flat earthers" either as
offered by Professor Greenlaugh.
I rebut in the strongest terms allegations as to the depth of
knowledge and understanding that parents have about this issue. I give
this example -
"... if your child has clinical indications of an immune system
abnormality, such as unusual or difficult to treat infections, or your
family has a long and extensive history of immunological problems, we
recommend that you consult with your physicians about the safest options
for immunizing your children."1
Where does this advice come from? Well it comes from the following
organisation the University of California.
The University of California Davis has within its facilities the MIND
Institute and is a collaboration of all the stakeholders in the ASD
community.
It was founded by
"...six visionary families, five who have sons with autism..."2
On its board is an astonishing array of talent and community ranging
from Community Volunteers, Parents and of course a wide variety of
University personnel.It has its own clinical providers numbering some 13
staff and I was able to count at least 5 Ph.Ds' on the staff. Attached as
well, is a Research Faculty of 35 personnel of which 28 hold Ph.Ds' .
The facilities and deep knowledge at UC Davis cannot be disputed it
is currently running
a number of investigative research studies into Autism.
* Autism Phenome Project (APP)
* EarlyInfants at Risk for Autism: A Longitudinal Study
* A Randomized Multi-site Clinical Trial of Intervention for Infants
at Risk for Autism: Early Start Denver Model.
*Genomics and Phenomics Center: APP and AGRE-NIMH
and the most interesting
*Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE)
Unlike others in this debate it has made a conscientious decision to
set all prejudice aside and look at the children and parents before it,
listen to their accounts and start their investigations from that logical
starting point. It is the kind of facility that the UK medical
establishment should be insisting on being opened in their country and
that discussion should be being led by one of the country's leading
medical journals.
The MIND Institute clearly states its current position on vaccines
and Autism. It acknowledges the many epidemiological studies. It also
recognises the clear and present danger of measels and the effect it may
have on an unvaccinated population.
The MIND institute clearly has the best interests of a community of
people that share a common cause. It is open to a range of hypotheses that
could have and should have been generated during and after "Wakefield."
"Does this mean that we can say without a doubt that vaccines do not
cause autism in some children? The answer to this question is "no". There
is emerging evidence that some children are immunologically compromised
and therefore may respond in an atypical way to vaccinations."1
"We do not currently understand how atypical immune responses might
influence the developing nervous system or how commonly such adverse
effects occur. Further, we currently have no way to identify those
children who might respond adversely to vaccines."1
Parents are concerned that their requests for assistance are met with
dignity and care. That their stories have an open and honest platform to
be heard and objective science and health provision is not met with scorn
and cynicism.
Parents and the broader community require that research is ongoing,
objective and broad in setting hypotheses and rejecting them and that they
are informed and part of this research.
My children only one diagnosed with ASD are fully immunised on time
and schedule. They will both be immunised again in the near future.
Not all the issues are related to the simple construct of MMR causes
Autism.
regards
for the reader interested in accessing more material about ASD and
the fine clinical and research work being carried out UC Davis
Rapid Response:
Re:Re:Let's not curtail free speech
It is not surprising to me having had many robust discussions with a
variety of skeptics on a variety of subjects that they assume a cognitive
dysfunction when it comes to making absolute statements in support of
their own pet theories. MMR causes Autism.
I'm not sure that the rights of parents to voice their concerns
should contain statements such as "vacuous" and "flat earthers" either as
offered by Professor Greenlaugh.
I rebut in the strongest terms allegations as to the depth of
knowledge and understanding that parents have about this issue. I give
this example -
"... if your child has clinical indications of an immune system
abnormality, such as unusual or difficult to treat infections, or your
family has a long and extensive history of immunological problems, we
recommend that you consult with your physicians about the safest options
for immunizing your children."1
Where does this advice come from? Well it comes from the following
organisation the University of California.
The University of California Davis has within its facilities the MIND
Institute and is a collaboration of all the stakeholders in the ASD
community.
It was founded by
"...six visionary families, five who have sons with autism..."2
On its board is an astonishing array of talent and community ranging
from Community Volunteers, Parents and of course a wide variety of
University personnel.It has its own clinical providers numbering some 13
staff and I was able to count at least 5 Ph.Ds' on the staff. Attached as
well, is a Research Faculty of 35 personnel of which 28 hold Ph.Ds' .
The facilities and deep knowledge at UC Davis cannot be disputed it
is currently running
a number of investigative research studies into Autism.
* Autism Phenome Project (APP)
* EarlyInfants at Risk for Autism: A Longitudinal Study
* A Randomized Multi-site Clinical Trial of Intervention for Infants
at Risk for Autism: Early Start Denver Model.
*Genomics and Phenomics Center: APP and AGRE-NIMH
and the most interesting
*Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE)
Unlike others in this debate it has made a conscientious decision to
set all prejudice aside and look at the children and parents before it,
listen to their accounts and start their investigations from that logical
starting point. It is the kind of facility that the UK medical
establishment should be insisting on being opened in their country and
that discussion should be being led by one of the country's leading
medical journals.
The MIND Institute clearly states its current position on vaccines
and Autism. It acknowledges the many epidemiological studies. It also
recognises the clear and present danger of measels and the effect it may
have on an unvaccinated population.
The MIND institute clearly has the best interests of a community of
people that share a common cause. It is open to a range of hypotheses that
could have and should have been generated during and after "Wakefield."
"Does this mean that we can say without a doubt that vaccines do not
cause autism in some children? The answer to this question is "no". There
is emerging evidence that some children are immunologically compromised
and therefore may respond in an atypical way to vaccinations."1
"We do not currently understand how atypical immune responses might
influence the developing nervous system or how commonly such adverse
effects occur. Further, we currently have no way to identify those
children who might respond adversely to vaccines."1
Parents are concerned that their requests for assistance are met with
dignity and care. That their stories have an open and honest platform to
be heard and objective science and health provision is not met with scorn
and cynicism.
Parents and the broader community require that research is ongoing,
objective and broad in setting hypotheses and rejecting them and that they
are informed and part of this research.
My children only one diagnosed with ASD are fully immunised on time
and schedule. They will both be immunised again in the near future.
Not all the issues are related to the simple construct of MMR causes
Autism.
regards
for the reader interested in accessing more material about ASD and
the fine clinical and research work being carried out UC Davis
1.http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/newsroom/vaccineposition.html
2 http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/
Competing interests: Father of son ASD