Early Study Linking Vaccines to Autism Officially Retracted

The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, retracted a study on February 2nd that linked autism to vaccinations. The study by Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues, originally published in 1998, is titled “Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children.” The study was one of the first scientific publications that spurned the dramatic rallying against childhood vaccinations and was one of the direct influences causing many parents to not give their children MMR vaccinations (Dr. Wakefield himself called out for parents to stop giving their children vaccinations for MMR).

Fortunately for parents, children, doctors, researchers, and anyone else who doesn’t buy in to the unsubstantiated, illogical, and downright dangerous surge against vaccinations, the editors of The Lancet and the UK General Medical Council’s Fitness to Practise Panel have announced that elements of the paper

are incorrect, contrary to the findings of an earlier investigation. In particular, the claims in the original paper that children were “consecutively referred” and that investigations were “approved” by the local ethics committee have been proven to be false.

As a result, the paper has been officially retracted.

This, undoubtedly, is a benefit for everyone. Everywhere.

Read the official retraction statement at The Lancet.

Read the original article at The Lancet. If you can’t get to the PDF, read it at Braindeer.

Read a full analysis at the New York Times, JREF, Times, or CNN.

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2. Surprise! Jenny McCarthy Completely Ignores Scientific Research
3. Discovery Institute’s Embarrassing Diatribe About Darwinism