London - A leading academic called yesterday for an investigation into a tenfold increase in the incidence of autism in children. Mr Paul Shattock, Autism Research Unit's director, said that the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine was one possible cause for the increase, but stressed it was not the only factor.
His research has shown that cases of autism diagnosed in the UK have increased tenfold over the past decade, according to a study published yesterday. The Sunderland University-based academic said: "Our records give a strong indication of a very large increase in the incidence of autism over the last 10 years. Vaccines have been given all the publicity and they are in the frame but we also think that pesticides are involved."