Difference between revisions of "William Thompson"
(A start) |
m (Text replacement - " autism" to " autism") |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
{{QB|My name is William Thompson. I am a Senior Scientist with the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], where I have worked since 1998. | {{QB|My name is William Thompson. I am a Senior Scientist with the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], where I have worked since 1998. | ||
| − | I regret that my coauthors and I omitted statistically significant information in our 2004 article published in the journal Pediatrics. The omitted data suggested that African American males who received the MMR vaccine before age 36 months were at increased risk for autism. Decisions were made regarding which findings to report after the data were collected, and I believe that the final study protocol was not followed. | + | I regret that my coauthors and I omitted statistically significant information in our 2004 article published in the journal Pediatrics. The omitted data suggested that African American males who received the MMR vaccine before age 36 months were at increased risk for [[autism]]. Decisions were made regarding which findings to report after the data were collected, and I believe that the final study protocol was not followed. |
I want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race. Vaccines prevent serious diseases, and the risks associated with their administration are vastly outweighed by their individual and societal benefits. | I want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race. Vaccines prevent serious diseases, and the risks associated with their administration are vastly outweighed by their individual and societal benefits. | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
My concern has been the decision to omit relevant findings in a particular study for a particular sub group for a particular vaccine. There have always been recognized risks for vaccination and I believe it is the responsibility of the CDC to properly convey the risks associated with receipt of those vaccines. | My concern has been the decision to omit relevant findings in a particular study for a particular sub group for a particular vaccine. There have always been recognized risks for vaccination and I believe it is the responsibility of the CDC to properly convey the risks associated with receipt of those vaccines. | ||
| − | I have had many discussions with Dr. [[Brian Hooker]] over the last 10 months regarding studies the CDC has carried out regarding vaccines and neurodevelopmental outcomes including autism spectrum disorders. I share his belief that CDC decision-making and analyses should be transparent. I was not, however, aware that he was recording any of our conversations, nor was I given any choice regarding whether my name would be made public or my voice would be put on the Internet. | + | I have had many discussions with Dr. [[Brian Hooker]] over the last 10 months regarding studies the CDC has carried out regarding vaccines and neurodevelopmental outcomes including [[autism]] spectrum disorders. I share his belief that CDC decision-making and analyses should be transparent. I was not, however, aware that he was recording any of our conversations, nor was I given any choice regarding whether my name would be made public or my voice would be put on the Internet. |
I am grateful for the many supportive e-mails that I have received over the last several days. | I am grateful for the many supportive e-mails that I have received over the last several days. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
I will not be answering further questions at this time. I am providing information to Congressman [[William Posey]], and of course will continue to cooperate with [[US Congress|Congress]]. I have also offered to assist with reanalysis of the study data or development of further studies. For the time being, however, I am focused on my job and my family. | I will not be answering further questions at this time. I am providing information to Congressman [[William Posey]], and of course will continue to cooperate with [[US Congress|Congress]]. I have also offered to assist with reanalysis of the study data or development of further studies. For the time being, however, I am focused on my job and my family. | ||
| − | Reasonable scientists can and do differ in their interpretation of information. I will do everything I can to assist any unbiased and objective scientists inside or outside the CDC to analyze data collected by the CDC or other public organizations for the purpose of understanding whether vaccines are associated with an increased risk of autism. There are still more questions than answers, and I appreciate that so many families are looking for answers from the scientific community. | + | Reasonable scientists can and do differ in their interpretation of information. I will do everything I can to assist any unbiased and objective scientists inside or outside the CDC to analyze data collected by the CDC or other public organizations for the purpose of understanding whether vaccines are associated with an increased risk of [[autism]]. There are still more questions than answers, and I appreciate that so many families are looking for answers from the scientific community. |
My colleagues and supervisors at the CDC have been entirely professional since this matter became public. In fact, I received a performance-based award after this story came out. I have experienced no pressure or retaliation and certainly was not escorted from the building, as some have stated. | My colleagues and supervisors at the CDC have been entirely professional since this matter became public. In fact, I received a performance-based award after this story came out. I have experienced no pressure or retaliation and certainly was not escorted from the building, as some have stated. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Media reaction== | ==Media reaction== | ||
| − | Since [[CNN]] published an article on August 28, 2014<ref>Journal questions validity of autism and vaccine study</ref>, Thompson has been widely criticised online by [[Snopes]] and others, and the work has been termed a 'ham-fisted “reanalysis”'.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/cdcwhistleblower.asp</ref><ref>http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/did-a-high-ranking-whistleblower-really-reveal-that-the-cdc-covered-up-proof-that-vaccines-cause-autism-in-african-american-boys/</ref> | + | Since [[CNN]] published an article on August 28, 2014<ref>Journal questions validity of [[autism]] and vaccine study</ref>, Thompson has been widely criticised online by [[Snopes]] and others, and the work has been termed a 'ham-fisted “reanalysis”'.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/cdcwhistleblower.asp</ref><ref>http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/did-a-high-ranking-whistleblower-really-reveal-that-the-cdc-covered-up-proof-that-vaccines-cause-autism-in-african-american-boys/</ref> |
{{SMWDocs}} | {{SMWDocs}} | ||
Revision as of 19:54, 29 November 2018
 William Thompson  (whistleblower) | |
|---|---|
| Exposed | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/MMR vaccine fraud |
MMR vaccine fraud
On August 27, 2014, Dr. William W. Thompson issued the following statement "regarding the 2004 Article Examining the Possibility of a Relationship Between MMR Vaccine and Autism:"
My name is William Thompson. I am a Senior Scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where I have worked since 1998.
I regret that my coauthors and I omitted statistically significant information in our 2004 article published in the journal Pediatrics. The omitted data suggested that African American males who received the MMR vaccine before age 36 months were at increased risk for autism. Decisions were made regarding which findings to report after the data were collected, and I believe that the final study protocol was not followed.
I want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race. Vaccines prevent serious diseases, and the risks associated with their administration are vastly outweighed by their individual and societal benefits.
My concern has been the decision to omit relevant findings in a particular study for a particular sub group for a particular vaccine. There have always been recognized risks for vaccination and I believe it is the responsibility of the CDC to properly convey the risks associated with receipt of those vaccines.
I have had many discussions with Dr. Brian Hooker over the last 10 months regarding studies the CDC has carried out regarding vaccines and neurodevelopmental outcomes including autism spectrum disorders. I share his belief that CDC decision-making and analyses should be transparent. I was not, however, aware that he was recording any of our conversations, nor was I given any choice regarding whether my name would be made public or my voice would be put on the Internet.
I am grateful for the many supportive e-mails that I have received over the last several days.
I will not be answering further questions at this time. I am providing information to Congressman William Posey, and of course will continue to cooperate with Congress. I have also offered to assist with reanalysis of the study data or development of further studies. For the time being, however, I am focused on my job and my family.
Reasonable scientists can and do differ in their interpretation of information. I will do everything I can to assist any unbiased and objective scientists inside or outside the CDC to analyze data collected by the CDC or other public organizations for the purpose of understanding whether vaccines are associated with an increased risk of autism. There are still more questions than answers, and I appreciate that so many families are looking for answers from the scientific community.
My colleagues and supervisors at the CDC have been entirely professional since this matter became public. In fact, I received a performance-based award after this story came out. I have experienced no pressure or retaliation and certainly was not escorted from the building, as some have stated.
Media reaction
Since CNN published an article on August 28, 2014[2], Thompson has been widely criticised online by Snopes and others, and the work has been termed a 'ham-fisted “reanalysis”'.[3][4]
References
- ↑ http://www.morganverkamp.com/august-27-2014-press-release-statement-of-william-w-thompson-ph-d-regarding-the-2004-article-examining-the-possibility-of-a-relationship-between-mmr-vaccine-and-autism/
- ↑ Journal questions validity of autism and vaccine study
- ↑ http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/cdcwhistleblower.asp
- ↑ http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/did-a-high-ranking-whistleblower-really-reveal-that-the-cdc-covered-up-proof-that-vaccines-cause-autism-in-african-american-boys/
