I need help creating a thesis and an outline on Vaccinations and Autism Studies. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is required.

I need help creating a thesis and an outline on Vaccinations and Autism Studies. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is required. A comparison: 2 Journal Articles on Vaccinations and Autism College

Abstract

This paper deals on the significantly important controversy caused by Andrew Wakefield’s study which claimed a causal relationship between mumps, measles and umbrella vaccination (MMR)and autism. Using the descriptive method, the journal articles of Hensley-Briar and Gerber-Offit are analyzed in order to show that widespread fear over MMR is unfounded. It is shown that the two articles have similarity in focus and method, but differ in hypothesis presentation and content analysis. In the end, the two articles serve to support MMR by showing the solid scientific evidence that would support the development and use of MMR and other vaccines as preventive cures from harmful biological diseases which emerge and reemerge as new variants to endanger human lives in the world.

A Comparison: 2 Journal Articles on Vaccinations and Autism

Introduction

Vaccines have benefited human society for more than two centuries since Edward Jenner first created the first vaccine for small pox in the 1970s (Health Affairs, n.d.). Defined as “any preparation to produce immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of antibodies” (WHO, n.d.), vaccines have saved millions of lives, making it an interesting subject to consider. On the other hand, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is “a complex neurodevelopment disorder” which afflicts six out of every 1,000 children (Autism Fact Sheet, n.d.). Unlikely to cross paths, autism vaccines and autism did meet after the publication of a study by Andrew Wakefield who claimed mump, measles and rubella vaccination (MMR) was behind the increase in autism cases. This has caused a deep-seated fear for the use of vaccine agents. Using the descriptive method, this paper examines two scholarly articles which can clarify the issue.

Hensley and Briars’ article

Emily Hensley and Leslie Briars wrote the article “Closer Look at Autism and the Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine” (Medscape, 2010). Intending to reach pharmacists, they posed the hypothesis that MMR vaccine is linked to the development of autism. Then they identified 27 studies which all disclaimed any causal relationship between MMR and autism. Hensley and Briars pointed out that “the myths presented to potentially support any relationship between MMR vaccine and autism have not been proven” (Medscape). The 27 studies have used expert testimony which refute critical scientific theories on the MMR vaccine. Hensley and Brian’s article can play an important advocacy role for vaccine immunization, and the positive information which can regain confidence in the use of vaccines for medical healthcare.

Gerber and Offit article

The article by Jeffrey Gerber and Paul Offit “Vaccines and Autism, A Tale of Shifting Hypothesis” (Oxford Journals, 2009) gave focus to the “sharp-edge condemnations” against MMR among a large group of parents, researchers and activists (Rudy, L., 2008). It then set three hypotheses: (a) MMR vaccines cause damage to intestinal linings (b) Thimerosal, an ethyl mercury-containing preservative in some vaccines, is toxic and detrimental to the nervous system (c) simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines weakens the body’s immune system. The article cited epistemological evidence from population-based studies which disproved the three hypotheses. These studies were done in various countries including the U.S. U.K. , and Finland, adopting substantial statistical processes. All in all the studies made an accurate analysis of outcome data. Apt to diminish fears about MMR, the Gerber and Offit article concluded that there is no scientific basis to correlate MMR vaccine with any variant of autism.

Conclusion

The two articles give cognizance to the deep-seated fear on the possible effects of vaccines on autism. Nonetheless, they serve to renew confidence for vaccine immunization, and argue against the Wakefield study which has been debunked by medical science for its having “manipulated evidence, broken ethical code and had multiple undeclared interests.” (Wikipedia, n.d.) The success of the past two centuries in containing ailments of epidemic proportion can now be freely sustained. And owing to newly emerging diseases which have to be contained, global health organizations and major philanthropic foundations need to maintain their justifiable support for vaccine research, distribution and application.

References

Autism Fact Sheet (n.a., n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/discorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

Gerber, J. and Offit, P. (2009). Oxford Journals. Vaccines and Autism, A Tale of Shifting

Hypothesis. Retrieved from http://cid.oxfordjournals.or/content/484?456.full

Health Affairs (n.a, n.d.). The History of Vaccines and immunization: Families Patterns, New

Challenges. Retrieved from http://content/24/3/611.full

Hensley, E. and Briars, L. (n.d.) Closer Look at Autism and the Measles-Mumps-Rubell

Vaccine. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/73248

Rudy, Liza Jo (2008). About.com Guide. Autism’s False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine

and Search for Cure. Retrieved from

http://autism.about.com/od/bookaboutautism/fr/falseprophets.htm

Wikipedia (n.d.). MMR Vaccine Controversy. Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMR_vaccine_controversy

COMPARATIVE CHART

HENSLEY-BRIARS ARTICLE GERBER-OFFIT ARTICLE

Focus

Reexamine MMR-autism causal link

Content analysis

One hypothesis proven untrue -- Three hypotheses proven untrue

Method

Descriptive analytical method

Using 27 studies Using population-wide studies

in U.S., U.K., Finland, etc.