Statement prepared by: Rebecca Estepp
Contact # (949) 640-4401 ext. 106
May 24, 2010
The General Medical Council (GMC) erased Dr. Andrew Wakefield from Britain’s Medical Register earlier today. TACA is deeply saddened by these unnecessary and vindictive actions. We will continue to support Dr. Wakefield.
Repealing Dr. Wakefield’s license does not erase the last 12 years of his work for children and their families. The GMC cannot revise history with this action. There are thousands of families that witnessed their children regress into autism after childhood vaccinations. Dr. Wakefield is a hero to these families.
TACA is very grateful that Dr. Wakefield will continue his much needed research into vaccine safety, autism and bowel disease. Dr. Wakefield’s research is not a threat to vaccine programs world wide. The real threat comes from the cozy relationships between vaccine regulators and industry.
One in four parents already believes that vaccines can cause autism in children. The autism community has been asking for independent research and transparency in the vaccine program for more than ten years. Until this happens, parents will continue to lose confidence in this program. Revoking Dr. Wakefield’s medical license will only cause parents to become more leery of the medical establishment and the vaccine program as a whole.
The following studies replicated Dr. Wakefield's original findings:
Gonzalez, L. et al., "Endoscopic and Histological Characteristics of the Digestive Mucosa in Autistic Children with gastro-Intestinal Symptoms." Arch Venez Pueric Pediatr, 2005;69:19-25.
Balzola, F., et al., "Panenteric IBD-like disease in a patient with regressive autism shown for the first time by wireless capsule enteroscopy: Another piece in the jig-saw of the gut-brain syndrome?" American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2005. 100(4): p. 979- 981.
S. Walker, K. Hepner, J. Segal, A. Krigsman "Persistent Ileal Measles Virus in a Large Cohort of Regressive Autistic Children with Ileocolitis and Lymphonodular Hyperplasia: Revisitation of an Earlier Study" [IMFAR May 2007]
Balzola F et al. "Autistic enterocolitis: confirmation of a new inflammatory bowel disease in an Italian cohort of patients." Gastroenterology 2005;128(Suppl. 2);A-303.
Madsen KM et al. A Population-Based Study of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination and Autism (2002). N Engl J Med 347 (19): 1477–82 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/347/19/1477?query=prevarrow
More Information
Watch Today show featuring Dr. Andrew Wakefield
Dr. Wakefield’s GMC Findings (January 28, 2010)
About TACA
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) provides information, resources, and support to families affected by autism. For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families and the professionals who can help them, allowing them to share stories and information to help people with autism be the best they can be.
DISCLAIMER: TACA provides general information regarding medical research, treatment options, therapies and nutrition to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources, and TACA does not independently verify any of it. Nothing presented at meetings, emails or in print should be construed as medical or legal advice. Always consult your child's doctor regarding his or her individual needs.
