[PROVE] FW: MMR Row Doctor Who Defied Government 'In The Clear'

[Guest guest]

Dear PROVE Members,

If you want to send cards or letters of support and thanks to Dr.

Wakefield for his courage over the years, you can mail them to:

Dr. Wakefield

c/o Thoughtful House Center for Children

3001 Bee Caves Road

Austin, Texas 78746

News Article FWD From Lenny Schafer:

MMR Row Doctor Who Defied Government 'In The Clear'

Dr Wakefield was defended by parents

By Sue Corrigan and Sally Beck, The Mail on Sunday

http://tinyurl.com/d3lkb

The doctor at the heart of the MMR vaccine controversy may not face

charges of misconduct despite a 20-month investigation which has devastated his

professional reputation.

The General Medical Council has indicated that it will not proceed with

charges against Dr Wakefield, who first suggested a link between the

triple jab and autism.

Dr Wakefield has been strongly backed by the parents of autistic children

allegedly damaged by the vaccine, who refused to condemn his actions when

interviewed as part of the inquiry.

Last night the families claimed the investigation had been used to

discredit his work and prevent further study into the risks of the vaccine.

Dr Wakefield first suggested a link between the triple vaccine for

measles, mumps and rubella and autism and bowel disease in 1998, after carrying

out tests on 12 children admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in London with

serious bowel disorders. He proposed that parents be offered three single

injections.

The Government denied there was a problem with the vaccine and it became a

politically sensitive issue after senior Labour figures, including Tony Blair,

refused to disclose if their children had received the jab. Dr Wakefield was

ostracised by the medical establishment and has since moved to America.

In late 2004 the GMC announced it was launching an inquiry into

allegations of serious professional misconduct against Dr Wakefield and two

former colleagues. It centred on claims that autistic children admitted to the

hospital with serious bowel problems were subjected to " unnecessary and

invasive " , tests.

Smear Campaign However, the children's parents are understood to have

staunchly defended the doctors', actions, praising them as the first to take

their concerns seriously.

It was also claimed Dr Wakefield's research had not been valid because he

failed to disclose a £50,000 grant from the lawyers of parents attempting to sue

MMR's manufacturers for their children's disorders. Dr Wakefield has

consistently argued that the grant was for separate research.

Nearly two years later the GMC has not drawn up any formal charges against

Dr Wakefield and no date has been set for a public hearing, at which scientific

arguments for a link between MMR and autism would have been aired. GMC

spokeswoman Jo Wren said there is now " no guarantee " , there will ever be a

hearing.

New figures released last week revealed that more than one in 100 children

in the UK suffer from autism - far higher than previously thought.

Last night Rosemary Kessick, the mother of an autistic boy whose treatment

is part of the investigation, accused the GMC of allowing itself to be used as

part of a deliberate Government campaign to smear Dr Wakefield and prop up

public confidence in MMR.

" Hundreds of autistic children with the serious bowel disease first

identified by Dr Wakefield have been unable to get any treatment in the UK, and

the drawn-out GMC investigation has played a major role in this disgraceful

state of affairs, " she said.

" It is deeply disturbing that Dr Wakefield's research findings and

personal integrity have been so damagingly called into question on the basis of

draft charges that may, in the end, simply be dropped. "

Last night Dr Wakefield confirmed that no charges had been filed to date.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn

PROVE(Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education)

prove@... (email)

http://vaccineinfo.net/ (web site)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

PROVE provides information on vaccines, and immunization policies and practices

that affect the children and adults of Texas. Our mission is to prevent vaccine

injury and death and to promote and protect the right of every person to make

informed independent vaccination decisions for themselves and their family.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This information is not to be construed as medical OR legal advice.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to PROVE Email Updates:

http://vaccineinfo.net/subscribe.htm

Tell a Friend about PROVE:

http://vaccineinfo.net/subscribe/friends.shtml

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Removal from PROVE Email Updates:

Click here: http://vaccineinfo.net/unsubscribe.htm

You are currently subscribed as texas-autism-advocacyegroups

..

-------------------------------------------------------------------