British Section of the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life

In the Guernsey Press, 14 Mar 04, Mr. Tony Booth wrote:

"I read with interest your front page article 'MMR parents vindicated by findings' (24 Feb. 2004). I agree with Dr. Brian Parkin that the 1998 paper by Andrew Wakefield suggesting a possible link between MMR and autism has indeed been given undue media prominence since its publication in 1998. Why? Because the report, now some six years old, has been superseded by many others from Japan, Ireland and the United States, which have all been compiled by reputable, independent scientific bodies and all have backed Mr. Wakefield's original findings....

"We, the parents, have not been properly informed. "Firstly, many specialists on both sides have been paid for their time and expertise during the 10-year legal action being brought against MMR. That's why it cost £15 m.

"Secondly, it's no secret that many pro-MMR reports over the past two decades were funded by manufacturers such as Merck Sharpe Dohme in the United States, the former Smith Kline Beecham in the U.K. and Aventis Pasteur in Switzerland. Then it was made public that nearly 20 U.K. government experts working for the so-supposedly impartial committee on safety of medicines and the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, have all received payments from the pharmaceutical companies I name. Surely these people should also be investigated to question their partiality?"

Note by Editor 2005:

• A large study carried out in Japan is now to have proved that there is no link.
• The rising incidence of reported cases of autism is unexplained.