The link between autism and the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) has been proposed for years, but has always been emphatically denied by the medical profession.
Many previously healthy children appeared to have developed Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, shortly after receiving the controversial vaccine, causing serious questions to be asked of organisations such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); however they have always maintained that the link is unfounded.
The CDC has historically cited the findings of a particular study to substantiate its position, namely the 2004 paper entitled ‘Age at first measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in children with autism and school-matched control subjects: a population-based study in metropolitan Atlanta,’ but recent shocking revelations from a source within the CDC have declared this paper to be fraudulent.
Clearly this totally undermines any assurances that the CDC has previously given parents, and the implications for past recipients and the future of the vaccine are profound.
The findings of the 2004 CDC report allegedly suggested that there was no association between the age that the MMR vaccine was administered and the development of autism. “The overall distribution of ages at MMR vaccination among children with autism was similar to that of matched control children; most case (70.5%) and control children (67.5%) were vaccinated between 12 and 17 months of age. Similar proportions of case and control children had been vaccinated before 18 or before 24 months. No significant associations for either of these age cut-offs were found for specific case subgroups, including those with evidence of developmental regression.”
According to the latest disclosures, it transpires that, aside from genetic factors and environmental factors such as pesticides, there is in fact a connection between the age at which an infant receives the MMR vaccination and the subsequent risk of developing autism.
But who exactly is this "whistleblower" and how credible is his testimony?
His name is reported to be William W. Thompson, PhD, a senior research scientist who still works for the CDC, though apparently his employers have not dismissed him or taken any legal action against him as a result of his claims. Whether his allegations will be discredited in due course or not we do not yet know, but they have implicated a huge number of people including fellow scientists and vaccine manufacturers. There is therefore the potential for this bombshell to escalate and involve the Department of Health and Human Services, and even the Congress and the White House.
The astounding revelations have gained further momentum as anti-vaccine campaigner and actor Rob Schneider has added his personal weight to the campaign to expose the CDC cover-up.
He is reported to have contacted California Gov. Jerry Brown’s office (D) claiming to possess documents that show that the Centers for Disease Control has hidden important data regarding specific genetic risks of vaccine-related autism development.
“One disturbing disclosure, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN were and still are THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERCENT more likely to develop Autism under the current Vaccine MMR schedule,” Schneider wrote. “This according to the original CDC study in 2001.”
A recent CDC study criticized anti-vaccine activists for fueling an increase in measles outbreaks around the country, as 80 percent of the new cases involved people who had refused the MMR vaccine because of “philosophical differences.” In the light of these latest revelations, their scorn for such mavericks now appears to be highly questionable.
The motivation for such a cover-up is undoubtedly dollar-driven, as vaccines are a multi-billion dollar industry. Whether the truth will now be fully exposed, or whether these claims will disappear into oblivion as many other have done previously, remains to be seen.
The latest research into the causes of autism has revealed that sufferers have too many synapses in their brains – that is, the places where where neurons connect and communicate. A new study by scientists at Columbia University in New York suggests that the surplus synapses are created because of a lack of ‘pruning’ that normally occurs early in life. Perhaps in the light of these latest links to the MMR vaccine, further research to determine how the vaccine might interfere with synapse development is warranted.
The study has prompted claims that the condition may yet prove to be treatable if scientists can find a way to "prune" the surplus synapses, but experts in the field are still cautious:
Carol Povey, director of the National Autistic Society’s Centre for Autism, said: ‘This interesting research may help develop our understanding of the complex brain differences that exist between people with autism and those who do not have the condition.
‘However, the suggestion that a drug could be developed to ‘treat’ autism should be treated with caution. Aside from considering the ethical implications, we question whether it’s possible to extrapolate the effects of medication on mice that exhibit supposedly autism-like behaviour to humans who actually have the disability.’
Unknown Country has been following this topic for years, and will continue to monitor this story to bring you the latest facts.
What are your thoughts on this incredibly emotive subject? Have you been personally affected by autism and believe it to be vaccine-related? Or do you think that the benefits of the MMR vaccine still outweigh the potential risks to the minority?
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