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Pressure mounts for inquiry into MMR furore

BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7438.483-a (Published 26 February 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:483

Rapid Response:

Andrew Wakefield's Research is Sound

Russell Blaylock, MD has published a review article in the Fall 2003
issue of an obscure journal, The Journal of the American Neutraceutical
Association. The title of this article is: "Interaction of Cytokines,
Excitotoxins, and Reactive Nitrogen and Oxygen Species in Autism Spectrum
Disorders."

The Abstract of Blaylock's article reads as follows:

ABSTRACT
There is growing and compelling evidence that excessive peripheral as well
as central immune activation of brain microglia can result in alterations
in brain growth and connectivity during rapid brain growth, the so-called
“brain growth spurt.” A considerable amount of evidence, presented in this
paper, demonstrates the deleterious effects of immune factors, such as
cytokines, chemokines, and excitotoxins, when present in excess. The
interaction between excitotoxicity, ROS and RNS injury and immune
dysfunction is discussed. It is concluded that excessive activation of the
brain’s immune system during critical growth periods can occur when
vaccines are given as combination vaccines, using schedules that are too
close together or by the use of certain live viruses in the vaccines.

Blaylock concludes his article with three recommendations, as
follows:

1) Since the greatest period of synaptogenesis occurs during the
first two years of life, all vaccines should be delayed until after this
period unless absolutely critical to individual health; 2) A halt in the
use of live virus vaccines; 3) A reduction in the innoculation schedules.
...This would mean that no more than one vaccine should be given during a
physician visit and that each of the vaccines be spaced at least six
months apart.

Blaylocks paper is chock full of evidence linking "overstimulation of
systemic immunity" to a variety of "deleterious effects [such as] autism
and autism spectrum disorders."

The science is complex, the evidence of linkage with MMR --
especially from autopsies performed on children who had suffered from
autism or a related disorder -- is overwhelming and conclusive. In
contrast, arguments from ignorance, i.e., that the pharmaceutical industry
has no knowledge of harm being caused by MMR and other vaccines, are
clearly seen as being empty and fallacious. The pharma industry may indeed
be ignorant of the harm caused by some of its products, but do they need
to keep reminding us of this deplorable fact?

British medicine ought to see through the fog of criticism that now
surrounds Andrew Wakefield's 1998 Lancet paper, and rapidly adopt the
three recommendations offered by Dr. Blaylock. The welfare of thousands of
children is at stake, and there is no doubt at all that Andrew Wakefield's
research on this subject is sound.

Lawrence J. O'Brien

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

10 March 2004
Lawrence J. O'Brien
author/consultant
Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA
1200 N. Nash Street -- Ste.535