NEW YORK — The theory that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was responsible for causing autism has, since it was first elaborated, been a hindrance to a proper assessment of the autism problem.
The theory, based on a study led by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, published in The Lancet in 1998, had found a link among the vaccine, gastrointestinal problems found in many autistic children and autism. New evidence has now put that theory to rest.
A recent report published by the British Medical Journal, based on a study conducted by British investigative journalist Brian Deer, concluded that the medical histories in the Wakefield study had been misrepresented to make the vaccine appear responsible for autism in children. According to Deer, the Wakefield paper was an "elaborate fraud."