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RECOMMENDATIONS Public Health Response Although the committee has concluded that the evidence favors rejection of the causal relationship at the population level between MMR and autistic spectrum disorders, the committee nevertheless recommends that this issue receive continued attention. [THEIR EMPHASIS] It does so in recognition that its conclusion does not exclude the possibility that MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children, as well as the following factors: the identified limitations of the evidence [MY EMPHASIS]; the burden of ASD; the burden of the diseases prevented by the vaccine, the immense concern of parents, and the prominence of the issue in public debate. Specific recommendations regarding policy review, research and surveillance, and communications follow. |
I can get a lot more specific about the "identified limitations of the evidence" if you like, the "proof" you so haughtily maintain shows the issue is "settled." There are comments in the report that go the heart of the problem, that the committee -- while not prepared to acknowledge causality or to stop the use of MMR -- really has NO IDEA of the scope of the POTENTIAL problem. You wanna post those? Be my guest.
You know, on other threads I've spoken out about the state of medical research in general and mental health research in particular. I think it's a disgrace. But in looking at this particular issue, it's good to know that an organization with the reputation of the National Academy of Sciences still has enough objectivity to say, "It is important to note that the committee evaluated the hypothetical association between MMR vaccine and ASD from a starting point of neutrality."
You and your extremist friends in medicine can continue on your path of biomedical social control, can continue to try to stop research into valid medical questions, and can continue to try to shut people up from discussing this issue on open forums like this. As long as parents and citizens remain vigilant, you'll lose.
Here is your original statement:
The committee, in its recommendation, used the word "SMALL," not rare, in describing the possibility of a link between MMR and autism, and its rate of incidence in children
Note that you said the comittee said the possibliity was small that MMR caused autism.
Here is what they actually said:
"Having said this, it is important to note that our committee does not exclude the possibility that MMR vaccine could in rare cases contribute to autistic spectrum disorders resulting in a very small number of affected children."
Note that they used the term "rare" to describe the possibility while the term "small" was used to describe the corrsponding number of children. If you are going to nitpick, you need to be accurate.
But on to the bigger picture. The term "identified limitations of the evidence", does NOT relate to the overall autism/MMR link. Because, according to the anti-vax extremists, MMR has caused an epidemic of autism. They have ruled that possibility out:
the evidence favors rejection of the causal relationship at the population level between MMR and autistic spectrum disorders
So your comment "really has NO IDEA of the scope of the POTENTIAL problem", is shown to be completely inaccurate by that statement ("at the population level"). Those words define the "scope" very nicely.
What they are saying is that, because of the methodology of the studies, they were unable to look at individual cases. And that under unusual circumstances, there may be a link.
However, having read hundreds of these kinds of reports, I dare say there aren't many that would say anything else. The tendency to cover one's butt is a commmon occurrence in these types of reports. Along with the fact that it is impossible in cases like this to prove the negative (MMR does NOT cause of autism).
can continue to try to stop research into valid medical questions
And, once again, I challenge you to show where I said the research should be stopped.