Lessons from the Vaccine-Autism Wars

The relationship between autism and vaccination remains a heated one. Quite polarised views about the rights and wrongs of vaccination are to be found amongst parents and scientists. Naturally disproving a theory can sometimes be harder than proving it and doubt remains in the minds of many advocates of the vaccination and autism model. The following paper provides an overview of the current arguments and whilst it will be uncomfortable reading for the dedicated proponents it raises some good questions. The debate is yet to be clearly defined, individual cases make for compelling arguments in favour of the innate immune activation of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, emotional rhetoric will sometimes cloud the discussion on both sides. Other scientists remain less convinced by the safety of autism, and even less so about the genetic element having the majority claim for explanation of increased numbers. Continued careful reading of many papers and consideration of individual needs represents the current best practice.

Gross L (2009) A Broken Trust: Lessons from the Vaccine-Autism Wars. PLoS Biol 7(5): e1000114. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000114 View Abstract View Full Paper