Question

The Lancet, a leading medical journal, published a paper on a possible link between autism in children and the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Following this, the number of MMR vaccinations fell and the incidence of mumps increased. Examine each of the following statements carefully. Which of these statements, if true, would help you conclude that there is indeed a cause-and-effect relationship between the vaccine and autism in children? (Check all that apply)

A. The study included a large number of children who had been immunized against MMR and showed signs of autism.
B. Other studies on the same issue suggest that the results are inconclusive.
C. The survey was conducted on a large group whose members were randomly selected.
D. The MMR vaccine contains thimerosal, a preservative that is known to increase the risk of autism.

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answers are "A. The study included a large number of children who had been immunized against MMR and showed signs of autism", "D. The MMR vaccine contains themerosal, a preservative known to increase the risk of autism" and "C. The survey was conducted on a large group whose members were randomly selected ".

Explanation: Clearly, statements A, C and D are statements that if true would help to conclude that there is a cause and effect relationship between vaccines and autism since it indicates that a random (objective) sample was taken within which It includes children who have received the vaccine and had signs of autism and states that the vaccine contains a preservative that increases the risk of autism.