MMR-autism link doctor Andrew Wakefield defends conduct at GMC hearing

MMR-autism link doctor Andrew Wakefield defends conduct at GMC hearing
By Nick Allen
Last Updated: 7:48pm GMT 27/03/2008



The doctor at the centre of the controversy over the MMR vaccine has denied committing serious professional misconduct, saying it had been his "duty as a physician and a human being" to investigate potential links between the jab and autism in children.


Dr Andrew Wakefield, the doctor at the heart of the MMR controversy


In a passionate defence of his research Dr Andrew Wakefield told a disciplinary hearing at the General Medical Council in London that he had responded to the "plight" of mothers with sick children.

Dr Wakefield faces being struck off the medical register after he and two colleagues published findings in the respected medical journal The Lancet in 1998 suggesting a link between the triple jab for measles, mumps and rubella and inflammatory bowel disease and autism.

It led to a dramatic fall in the number of children being given the MMR jab.

The scientific community and the Government have since tried to reassure parents that the vaccine is safe.

As Dr Wakefield arrived to give evidence he was greeted by several dozen supporters holding placards declaring he was the victim of a "witch hunt".