Autism is Not Caused By Vaccination

…..a special federal court ruled Thursday that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and vaccines that contained a mercury-based preservative were not connected to the autism that developed in three children.

Can we please–pretty please, with a cherry on top–please, please, please stop looking for a causal connection between vaccination and autism? Please? Because, after decades of intensive research–I could have found hundreds upon hundreds of published studies looking into this question, each demonstrating a lack of connection, or unconvincing connections or correlations–we have the answer: Vaccines do not cause autism.

Given how little money is available for scientific research in general, and research on pediatric health in particular, this is just simply wasteful. Criminally wasteful. The continuing obsession by some parents–absolutely certain in the existence of a non-existent connection between vaccination and autism–is wasting precious time and money. This money could be used to develop therapies for autism, to look for far more promising causal agents or studying other serious illnesses of childhood.

Please. Please. Vaccines don’t cause autism. Can we stop asking now?

5 comments
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Nicole March 1st, 2009 5:29 pm :
I had a sort of inane question that I was hoping to ask about one of your articles and didn’t see any contact information. Is this an intentional effort to prevent readers from sending you inane questions?
Jonathan Golob March 2nd, 2009 4:51 pm :
Nicole:

As always, send to DearScience@thestranger.com
Nicole Sullivan June 15th, 2009 10:52 am :
I totally agree with Jonathan!!! I’m soooo sick of people not vaccinating their children and my newborn has to be put at risk being around these unvaccinated kids…when I got to a public place. Your kids are “heard” protected…because MY KIDS are vaccinated. Its neglect that you dont vaccinate your children. March around all you want…I HOPE THEY MAKE IT A LAW that all children are vaccinated. And they put the wasted resources towards better research …like how to educate ignorant people who do not vaccinate and help for children who have autism – which comes from genetics not vaccines.
Sarah McGrath October 9th, 2009 9:02 am :
How do any of you know that vaccines don’t cause autism? CDC is not on our side they are looking out for # 1-themselves. If you look at the evidence, it points to vacines as causing problems. There are 36 now compared to 19 in 1983. Why do infants get hep B vaccine?unless a parent has it they are not going to get it. It is spread through blood via needles, razors or through sex. it is ridiculous. Why are we vacinating against chicken pox?
Sarah McGrath October 9th, 2009 9:04 am :
I meant to say 10 vaccines in 1983 – that is a huge and unneccesary leap.