Vaccines and Autism
Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist caused a widespread panic with a now vastly discredited and retracted paper from 1998 that linked the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Since his paper, there has been a ton of scientifically unsupported theories linking vaccines and autism. Many parents also stopped vaccinating their children as a result (Gross, 2016).
In 2011, Dr. Mercola published an article titled How to Help Eliminate the Hidden Enemy That Triggers Autism. In his article he used a scientific review by Helen Ratajczak titled Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes—A review as his main evidence to support his argument that the spike in autism is caused by human DNA contamination in the high number of vaccines given to young children (Mercola, 2011). …show more content…
He mentions that even though bowel disorders are very common for those with ASD, many “experts” refuse to acknowledge that there is a link (Mercola, 2011). He ignored the fact that it is common for those with autism to have food aversions and sensitivities. Inadequate nutrition occurs more frequently in children with autism than in those who do not have the disorder. In particular, they found “an overall low intake of calcium and protein.” Many parents also try alternative diets with their autistic children which could cause these kinds of nutritional inadequacies. (Nutrition and Autism, 2013). Having those kinds of nutritional deficiencies could cause bowel disorders in almost anyone.
Criticism for Mercola, Ratajczak, and Baylock
The claims made by Mercola, Ratajczak, and Baylock are based on data that is outdated and one-sided. They focused on what they wanted to see. Ratajczak’s research and data are decades old. Medical advancements and research happen each year. Baylock failed to provide evidence of baby’s being primed for autism in utero if the mother got a flu shot while pregnant which seemed to be an integral part of his theory.
Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist caused a widespread panic with a now vastly discredited and retracted paper from 1998 that linked the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Since his paper, there has been a ton of scientifically unsupported theories linking vaccines and autism. Many parents also stopped vaccinating their children as a result (Gross, 2016).
In 2011, Dr. Mercola published an article titled How to Help Eliminate the Hidden Enemy That Triggers Autism. In his article he used a scientific review by Helen Ratajczak titled Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes—A review as his main evidence to support his argument that the spike in autism is caused by human DNA contamination in the high number of vaccines given to young children (Mercola, 2011). …show more content…
He mentions that even though bowel disorders are very common for those with ASD, many “experts” refuse to acknowledge that there is a link (Mercola, 2011). He ignored the fact that it is common for those with autism to have food aversions and sensitivities. Inadequate nutrition occurs more frequently in children with autism than in those who do not have the disorder. In particular, they found “an overall low intake of calcium and protein.” Many parents also try alternative diets with their autistic children which could cause these kinds of nutritional inadequacies. (Nutrition and Autism, 2013). Having those kinds of nutritional deficiencies could cause bowel disorders in almost anyone.
Criticism for Mercola, Ratajczak, and Baylock
The claims made by Mercola, Ratajczak, and Baylock are based on data that is outdated and one-sided. They focused on what they wanted to see. Ratajczak’s research and data are decades old. Medical advancements and research happen each year. Baylock failed to provide evidence of baby’s being primed for autism in utero if the mother got a flu shot while pregnant which seemed to be an integral part of his theory.