Question

Since the late 90s, there have been many claims that autism is caused by vaccines. Do you know why? A paper titled "Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia, Non-specific Colitis, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children." It was a study of only 12 children ranging in age from 3 to 10 who had experienced a loss of language skills (a symptom of autism), diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Parents of eight of the 12 children said the onset of symptoms happened to occur shortly after the child's immunization of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). The authors of the paper, a team of 12 researchers, concluded that more research was needed to study a possible relation between the observed brain dysfunction, bowel problems, and the MMR vaccine. In a press conference when the paper was published, one of the authors, a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield, stated that he believed single vaccines, rather than multiple vaccines like the triple MMR vaccine, were likely to be "safer" for children. The study and press conference sparked widespread fear among parents that multiple vaccines could cause autism. The media and certain celebrities have used this one single particular study to claim that vaccines cause autism.

After reading about the Scientific Method and Information Literacy in your book and in the other assignments and Labs, as well as some reliable scientific websites (think National Geographic, PBS, Discovery, Smithsonian, New Scientist, Nature, Scientific American, Science Daily, New Science) answer the following:

1. Is the study a good example of the scientific method? Explain why or why not. Make sure you think about what makes for a legitimately good use of the scientific method, especially when it comes to experiments on humans. Do not simply use your opinion here. Read over scientific method in your book and notes!!!

2. Is there a correlation (legitimate connection) between autism and vaccines based on this study? Explain why or why not.

3. Is there a correlation (legitimate connection) between autism and vaccines based on other studies? Explain why or why not.

each question atleast 100 words please thank youuu

Answer 1

Answer:

1) It is a good example of using scientific methods for studying the effects of vaccines and severity of illness. This is because individuals can be assessed for any symptoms arising after vaccine administration to the individual.

We can also calculate the maximum pharmacological doses of vaccines and other drugs.

2) Based on the given study, there is connection between the vaccine and autism development in children. As it is well known that vaccines have certain side effects in children which can be mild or severe( life-threatening) and the children who have developed autism were vaccinated with MMR vaccine sometime before.

A possibility is that these children have been immunocompromised due to some congenital disease, due to which there occured vaccine virus infection leading to systemic and neurological manifestations(autism).

3) There is a correlation between autism and vaccine according to other studies also.This is because vaccine side effects can occur due to the following:

A) inherent quality of the vaccine.

B) manufacturing problems.

C) immunocompromised child

D) congenital disease.

Vaccine side effects can be mild like fever , rashes, pain ,etc but if severe it can cause anaphylaxis and other neurological disorders and even problem in speech and language skills.