|
A couple of weeks ago, two of the most prominent
medical journals in the world, The British
Medical Journal (BMJ) and The Lancet,
each published 'Letters to the Editor' which call into question one of
the most sacred and hitherto "untouchable" subjects - universal
childhood vaccination.
This was significant because it signals that maybe
there is a new willingness of mainstream medicine to discuss and openly
debate the issue.
The first letter in the BMJ was from Nikki Lee of
the Center for Breastfeeding, Sandwich, MA and was entitled "Breastfeeding
Should be Promoted." Some of the main points in her letter:
-
Four months after the CDC recommended that all
babies should receive 3 doses of the rotavirus vaccine, the use of
this vaccine was being indefinitely suspended after reports of over
100 cases of intussusception and two deaths resulting from its use.
The manufacturer voluntarily withdrew the vaccine.
-
Babies who receive the 15 recommended vaccines
in the first six months of their lives have a cumulative mercury exposure
that exceeds limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
-
She asks what the impact may be when, by the
age of 5 years, children have received over two dozen doses of vaccines
containing mercury and other toxins?
-
In July 1999 the US Public Health Service and
the American Academy of Pediatrics asked vaccine manufacturers to
eliminate the preservative mercury from vaccines because of concern
about its cumulative effects.
-
Some scientists say that the massive polio immunisation
campaign in Zaire and other African countries in the 1950s accelerated
the spread of HIV. The aerosol vaccine was grown in monkey kidney
tissue; that same species of monkey carries a simian immune deficiency
virus (SIV), the virus from which HIV is widely believed to derive
from. The places where the vaccine was administered are the epicentre
of the AIDS epidemic.
-
She cites many instances in the past where important
information about safety has been hidden to protect profit, and questions
whether vaccination will one day also be seen in the same light. Some
examples she cites are the use of DES and Thalidomide on pregnant
women,
-
She states that "It costs millions to develop,
research, and market a vaccine. Wouldn't it make more sense to spend
that money to protect, promote, and support breast feeding for every
baby? There is much evidence that breast feeding reduces the incidence
and severity of rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and otitis
media, without side effects."
Another letter in the BMJ was from Peter Morrell,
who is an honorary research associate of the history of medicine at Staffordshire
University in Britain. Some of the points in his letter:
-
The existing evidence does not conclusively
show that vaccination caused the decline of infectious diseases.
-
Diphtheria, tuberculosis, and pertussis were
virtually extinct before vaccines were introduced.
-
More likely causes are improved water supply,
sanitation, adequate food supply, and birth control.
-
Martin Miles, a London homoeopath, believes
that vaccination causes cancer, meningitis, arthritis, constitutional
weaknesses and neurological damage, and increases the level of mucus
in the body.
-
Harris Coulter, a historian, blames vaccination
for mental illness, crime, and social deviance.
-
A prominent Dutch homoeopath describes "post
vaccination syndrome," and he claims that potentised vaccines
can cure this syndrome and act prophylactically against many infections.
This claim was confirmed by Margery Grace Blackie, the Queen of England's
former physician.
It is interesting to note that the authors of the
2 letters mentioned above have no declared competing interests, while
the authors of 2 letters published on the other side of the issue have
financial interests in the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry.
Letters were also published in The
Lancet, in response to an editorial published earlier this year entitled
"Measles, MMR, and autism: the confusion continues." One of
these was from Dr. James H. Roger, of Livedata
(UK) Ltd, a independent statistical consulting company, which specializes
in medical and pharmaceutical applications. Some of his points:
-
The authors of the editorial "perpetuated
the myth that good scientific evidence rejects a link between MMR
vaccination and autism."
-
He states that the correct interpretation of
the statistical data from currently published studies show that the
data is consistent with an appreciable number of autism cases being
triggered by MMR vaccination.
-
The authors of a 1999 study in the Lancet used
the wrong study design to attempt to detect an association between
immunisation and a disease with chronic onset, such as autism.
-
The gastrointestinal model for autism, described
by Dr. Wakefield and others in a 1998 study in the Lancet, would suggest
a variable delay for perhaps several months between immunisation and
first symptoms of autism.
-
It is unlikely that any true association could
be spotted when looking at quite short intervals after immunisation,
typically 6 months.
-
The current epidemiological evidence does not
refute MMR immunisation possibly triggering the onset of autism
Another letter was from Ray Gallup, president of
the Autism Autoimmunity Project,
in New Jersey. Some of his points:
-
There is a dire need for more studies on the
possible immunological aspects of autism.
-
At the recent US congressional hearings on
the subject, the author of a pro-vaccine study would not agree to
turn over his data for an independent review.
-
Three authors of studies showing links between
the MMR and autism all agreed to turn over their data for independent
review.
-
Mr. Gallup's autistic son tested was tested
with an immune panel blood test and had raised measles titres, as
well as inflammation of the colon. Many parents report the same results
with their autistic children.
|
