Parents Ask Expert Dr. Jay Gordon: I have never liked Dr. Wakefield’s “Lancet” article.  He studied a dozen pre-selected children and no conclusions can possibly be drawn from research like this.  



Further questions about his methodology and his ethics have been in the news today and place too much emphasis on Dr. Wakefield’s role in this debacle and not enough emphasis on the medical journal’s misdeeds.



Andrew Wakefield was one of the first doctors and the most prominent doctor to call attention to the probable link between vaccines and autism.  I think that his data were misused:  Initially by “The Lancet” and then by others who had preconceived notions about the MMR and autism.  I’m embarrassed to say, I would have to include myself as a former member of that second group.



The MMR is not a good enough vaccine to be given the way we give it and parents should consider each and every vaccine’s merits and drawbacks just as they would for any other medication given to their beloved children.



There is no proof that the MMR causes autism.  But, there is also no “proof” that it does not.



I continue to recommend very late and very judicious vaccination to the families in my practice who want immunizations and I accept the responsibility that goes with those recommendations just as every parent also accepts responsibility.



My point of view remains as it was before today’s commotion:  Vaccines, as they are now manufactured and administered, can cause autism in susceptible children.  Research has yet to prove anything to the contrary and enough evidence of harm exists to make me be very cautious about vaccinating the children in my practice.



We shouldn’t let this loud, very polarized debate about vaccines distract us from looking at other possible toxins as environmental triggers to genetic predisposition to autism, diabetes, and childhood autoimmune phenomena.