Published 22 June 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2537
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2537

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Review of the Week

Bad science, risky medicine

Spurious treatments for autism and the discredited link with vaccines are covered in an enjoyable and useful new book, David Elliman and Helen Bedford find

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Autism is a distressing condition affecting an estimated one in 100 children in the United Kingdom. Although it is clear that it has a genetic component, its causes are poorly understand, and many environmental stimuli have been suggested. Some, such as phenylketonuria and congenital rubella syndrome, are accepted, whereas a causal link with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or with the vaccine preservative thiomersal, which contains mercury and which used to be a component of many other childhood vaccines, has not been substantiated. Treatment options are equally diverse and controversial, with a range of pharmaceutical and behavioural interventions in popular use, but most having a poor evidence base.

Not only is Paul Offit chief of clinical paediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but he has a long experience of research in vaccinology and is up front in declaring his interests, including being co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine. . . . [Full text of this article]

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