What was wrong with Wakefield's study?
Wakefield's study that tried to draw a connection between MMR vaccines and autism had several flaws. First, Wakefield's source of data was from the parents to the children. Most of these parents were crusaders of Anti-MMR vaccinations; hence they gave biased information ( Deer, 2011) . The second problem with this study was the small sample size. MMR vaccine is given to children worldwide, and a sample or twelve children cannot be used to discredit it.
The other problem is the failure of researchers to verify the symptoms of the children before administering the vaccine. The Deer report established that some of these children had underlying developmental issues. Wakefield had a conflict of interest that made him doctor the results of this important study to justify his assertions ( Roos, 2011) . He was among the opponents of the MMR vaccine, and he was trying to promote single vaccines. Worse still, the Deer report established that Wakefield paid some of the respondents.
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Discuss at least one variable or approach that should have been controlled or assessed
One of the variables that Wakefield should have monitored in his study was the conditions of the children before the vaccination, immediately after vaccination and at least a month after the vaccination ( Deer, 2011) . By monitoring this variable, the Wakefield researchers would have determined if the vaccine caused autism in the children, or there were underlying issues with the children that are independent of the vaccine.
Discuss the importance of a control group when using the scientific method
A control group of a scientific study is the group or sample that acts as a benchmark for comparing the results of the experimental group. A control group helps to isolate any unwanted variables in a study and to determine the variables that cause a difference in the study outcomes ( Pithon, 2013) . It helps to minimize bias and to focus on the experimental variable.
Did Wakefield deserve to be barred from medical practice?
Wakefield deserved to be barred from Medical practice. He engaged in medical misconduct that raised false alarm throughout the world by spreading misleading information ( Deer, 2011) . He valued self-interest over professionalism, an act that made him a threat to the medical sector.
What were the consequences of his inflated conclusions?
Inflated conclusions are dangerous as they cause unnecessary alarm to the public. For example, Wakefield's decision to adulterate his findings and spread false conclusion made many people develop resistance to the vaccine, thereby putting their children to the risk of measles, mumps and rubella ( Shute, 2013) . The inflated conclusions by the Wakefield research can directly be linked to the 2013 measles outbreak in Europe.
References
Deer, B. (2011). How the case against the MMR vaccine was fixed. BMJ , 342 (jan05 1), c5347-c5347. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c5347
Pithon, M. M. (2013). Importance of the control group in scientific research. Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics , 18 (6), 13-14. https://doi.org/10.1590/s2176-94512013000600003
Roos, R. (2011). Report says 1998 vaccine-autism study was fraud . CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2011/01/report-says-1998-vaccine-autism-study-was-fraud
Shute, N. (2013, May 22). Fifteen years after a vaccine scare, a measles epidemic . NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/05/21/185801259/fifteen-years-after-a-vaccine-scare-a-measles-epidemic
