MMR row is 'hampering research into autism'

The controversy about a possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism has hampered research into the disorder, a child psychiatrist claimed yesterday.

Christopher Gilberg, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at St George's Hospital Medical School, south-west London, said he had not seen "a shred of evidence" to link the measles, mumps and rubella jab, or any other vaccine, to autism.

"The research we have done shows clearly that there is no link between MMR and autism. It is certainly not top of the list of any agent that might cause autism," he said.

Professor Gilberg said the focus on MMR had stymied potentially far more fruitful research. "This whole MMR business has taken on proportions that have hampered research in autism.

"People are spending so much time disputing this, or finding this, or finding that, in relation to MMR, when there has never been any strong evidence this should be a road we are travelling. We have spent a lot of time in vain debating this particular aspect."

Professor Gilberg was speaking before he presented a review of 40 studies of the causes of autism to a two-day conference organised by the National Autistic Society.

His comments came as a survey of 52 autism experts challenged the view that a growing number of children are being affected by the developmental condition and that the MMR vaccine could be to blame.

Ninety per cent of the respondents thought the rise in the condition was an illusion, and that figures were increasing because of improved awareness and detection. An equal number of respondents disputed claims of a link with the MMR jab.

However, Martin Hewitt, the chairman of the Autism Research Campaign for Health, said there was growing evidence of a connection. "If it was just improved diagnosis, the increase would show right across the different age cohorts, whereas in fact the increase is being found in the young age groups."

He called for a public inquiry to provide answers. "I think that this is a public issue and I think the Government should recognise that and set up a public inquiry. This is the way to quash all the differences of opinion around this issue," Mr Hewitt said.

¿ The Department of Health launched a website yesterday to inform parents about the MMR vaccine and to try to overcome their fears. The information can be found at www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk.