This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8695267.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
MMR doctor struck off register | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The doctor who first suggested a link between MMR vaccinations and autism has been struck off the medical register. | |
The General Medical Council found Dr Andrew Wakefield guilty of serious professional misconduct over the way he carried out his controversial research. | |
It follows a GMC ruling earlier this year that he had acted unethically. | |
Dr Andrew Wakefield's 1998 Lancet study caused vaccination rates to plummet, resulting in a rise in measles - but the findings were later discredited. | |
The GMC ruled in January he had acted "dishonestly and irresponsibly" in conducting his research. | |
The case did not investigate whether Dr Wakefield's findings were right or wrong, instead it focused on the methods of research. | |
The panel which made the ruling criticised Dr Wakefield in January for the invasive tests that were carried out on children against their 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 to the way he gathered blood samples. Dr Wakefield paid children £5 for the samples at his son's birthday party. | |
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. | |
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". |