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Authors reject interpretation linking autism and MMR vaccine

London Susan Mayor

Ten of the 13 authors of the research paper that first raised the possibility of a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism (Lancet 1998;351:637-41), resulting in a major fall in the number of children being vaccinated in the United Kingdom, "retracted" this interpretation of their findings in a statement published last week (Lancet 2004;363:750).

They said, "The main thrust of the paper was the first description of an unexpected intestinal lesion in the children reported . . . We wish to make it clear that in this paper no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient. However, the possibility of such a link was raised and consequent events have had major implications for public health. In view of this, we consider now is the appropriate time that we should together formally retract the . . . [Full text of this article]

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UNRELIABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AS EVIDENCE

Clifford G. Miller
bmj.com, 12 Mar 2004 [Full text]

Presenting ignorance as "evidence."

Lawrence J. O'Brien, et al.
bmj.com, 12 Mar 2004 [Full text]

The "Public" Understand Science

Saadedine Tebbal
bmj.com, 16 Mar 2004 [Full text]

Re: The "Public" Understand Science

MC Feliciello
bmj.com, 17 Mar 2004 [Full text]

Re: UNRELIABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AS EVIDENCE

F. Edward Yazbak
bmj.com, 17 Mar 2004 [Full text]

When will this pantomime end?

John Daniel Stone
bmj.com, 18 Mar 2004 [Full text]

Re: When will this pantomime end?

John Daniel Stone
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Evidence based medicine

Alan J Mulcahy
bmj.com, 23 Mar 2004 [Full text]

Re: Evidence based medicine

John Daniel Stone
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Re: UNRELIABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AS EVIDENCE

Viera Scheibner
bmj.com, 26 Mar 2004 [Full text]

Re: UNRELIABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AS EVIDENCE - THE WRONG REACTION

John Stone
bmj.com, 23 Nov 2004 [Full text]

Re: Re: Unreliability of scientific papers as evidence

Richard P Carruthers
bmj.com, 27 Nov 2004 [Full text]

Re: Re: UNRELIABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AS EVIDENCE - THE WRONG REACTION

John Stone
bmj.com, 26 Nov 2004 [Full text]

Re: UNRELIABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC PAPERS AS EVIDENCE - THE WRONG REACTION

Raymond Gallup
bmj.com, 26 Nov 2004 [Full text]