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MMR doctor punishment verdict due MMR doctor punishment verdict due
(about 8 hours later)
The doctor who first suggested a link between MMR vaccinations and autism is to find out whether he will be punished by the medical regulator.The doctor who first suggested a link between MMR vaccinations and autism is to find out whether he will be punished by the medical regulator.
The General Medical Council is due to decide if Dr Andrew Wakefield is guilty of serious professional misconduct.The General Medical Council is due to decide if Dr Andrew Wakefield is guilty of serious professional misconduct.
If found guilty, the regulator could impose sanctions, such as striking him off the medical register.If found guilty, the regulator could impose sanctions, such as striking him off the medical register.
Dr Wakefield's 1998 Lancet study, later discredited, caused vaccination rates to fall resulting in a rise in measles.Dr Wakefield's 1998 Lancet study, later discredited, caused vaccination rates to fall resulting in a rise in measles.
The hearing comes after the GMC ruled in January he had acted "dishonestly and irresponsibly" in doing his research.The hearing comes after the GMC ruled in January he had acted "dishonestly and irresponsibly" in doing his research.
THE WAKEFIELD STORY MMR is the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine which was introduced in the late 1980sIn 1998 the Lancet published a study, led by Dr Andrew Wakefield, which linked the jab with autism and bowel diseaseIt has since been discredited and the Lancet has said it should not have run itA newspaper subsequently made allegations about the way the research was carried outThe GMC launched an investigation, which then led to a series of charges and the two-and-a-half-year hearingThe regulator eventually ruled in January this year he had acted unethically THE WAKEFIELD STORY MMR is the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine which was introduced in the late 1980sIn 1998 the Lancet published a study, led by Dr Andrew Wakefield, which linked the jab with autism and bowel diseaseIt has since been discredited and the Lancet has said it should not have run itA newspaper subsequently made allegations about the way the research was carried outThe GMC launched an investigation, which then led to a series of charges and the two-and-a-half-year hearingThe regulator eventually ruled in January this year he had acted unethically class="" href="/2/hi/health/1808956.stm">MMR research timeline class="" href="/2/hi/health/3513365.stm">Profile: Dr Andrew Wakefield
The GMC case did not investigate whether Dr Wakefield's findings were right or wrong, instead it was focused on the methods of research.The GMC case did not investigate whether Dr Wakefield's findings were right or wrong, instead it was focused on the methods of research.
The panel which made the ruling criticised Dr Wakefield for the invasive tests that were carried out on children against the best clinical interests.The panel which made the ruling criticised Dr Wakefield for the invasive tests that were carried out on children against the best clinical interests.
It said Dr Wakefield, who was working at London's Royal Free Hospital as a gastroenterologist at the time, did not have the ethical approval or relevant qualifications for such tests.It said Dr Wakefield, who was working at London's Royal Free Hospital as a gastroenterologist at the time, did not have the ethical approval or relevant qualifications for such tests.
The GMC also took exception with the way he gathered blood samples following revelations the doctor paid children £5 for the samples at his son's birthday party.The GMC also took exception with the way he gathered blood samples following revelations the doctor paid children £5 for the samples at his son's birthday party.
In delivering the verdict, the GMC panel said he had acted with "callous disregard for the distress and pain the children might suffer".In delivering the verdict, the GMC panel said he had acted with "callous disregard for the distress and pain the children might suffer".
It also said Dr Wakefield should have disclosed the fact that he had been paid to advise solicitors acting for parents who believed their children had been harmed by the MMR.It also said Dr Wakefield should have disclosed the fact that he had been paid to advise solicitors acting for parents who believed their children had been harmed by the MMR.
Two of Dr Wakefield's former colleagues at the Royal Free were also ruled to have broken guidelines.Two of Dr Wakefield's former colleagues at the Royal Free were also ruled to have broken guidelines.
Professor John Walker-Smith and Professor Simon Murch both helped Dr Wakefield carry out the research. They will also learn of their fate later.Professor John Walker-Smith and Professor Simon Murch both helped Dr Wakefield carry out the research. They will also learn of their fate later.
After the January verdict, Dr Wakefield, who now lives in the US, said he was "extremely disappointed by the outcome" as the allegations were "unfounded and unjust".After the January verdict, Dr Wakefield, who now lives in the US, said he was "extremely disappointed by the outcome" as the allegations were "unfounded and unjust".