Andrew Wakefield and the MMR scare (Science Betrayed - BBC Radio 4)

Bob · Apr 1, 2011

BBC Radio 4

Science Betrayed - Andrew Wakefield and the MMR scare

Broadcast on Thu 24 Mar 2011 at 21:00

Here is a BBC Radio 4 program about Andrew Wakefield and 'the MMR scare'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zm328

This probably isn't available to non-UK citizens to listen to, as it's on the BBC website.

I haven't listened to this yet, but it's coming from the angle that Andrew Wakefield carried out "serious professional misconduct", and that his "deception" had dangerous consequences.

Here's the text that accompanies the audio file:

Science Betrayed: Part 2 - Andrew Wakefield and the MMR scare.

In the second and final part of this series, Dr Adam Rutherford tells the extraordinary story of one of the most contentious cases of medical misconduct of the last few decades, and the serious public health consequences that followed.

Andrew Wakefield was the doctor at the centre of the MMR scare that dominated the public health debate at the beginning of this century. His research, published in the Lancet in 1998, argued that there is a link between the triple vaccine MMR and the onset of autism in some children.

What followed was a public health scare that led to a dangerous drop in uptake of the vaccine, and the biggest outbreak of measles in this country for 20 years. Almost 13 years later, Andrew Wakefield has been found guilty of dishonesty and serious professional misconduct on several counts by the General Medical Council, and has now been struck off.

But the consequences of his misconduct live on. Why did it take so long for the extent of his deception to be revealed? Adam Rutherford talks to the key players in this incredible saga, and asks whether there are lessons to be learned about how scientific misconduct is investigated, and who is responsible for making sure scientists tell the truth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zm328

Sasha · Apr 1, 2011

I just listened to a recording of this earlier this evening. What struck me as interesting from an ME/CFS point of view was that (as I understood it, usual brainfog caveats) the investigation by the General Medical Council that led to Dr Wakefield being struck off appears to have been essentially initiated by an investigative journalist "following the money". I wish someone would do the same for us in relation to the link between insurance companies and the psychologising of our condition.

Bob · Apr 2, 2011

currer said:
Watch this link - Youtube Dr Mercola interviews Dr Wakefield on his MMR vaccine.
(Sorry couldn't get the url to work)

Andrew Wakefield has a right to tell his side of the story.

Enid · Apr 2, 2011

Thanks Bob - good listening - I bet the establishment here hoped the whole problem would disappear - well it won't.

Andrew Wakefield and the MMR scare (Science Betrayed - BBC Radio 4)

Bob

Senior Member

Sasha

Fine, thank you

Bob

Senior Member

Enid

Senior Member