Autism and Vaccines
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a range of psychological conditions characterized by challenges with social interaction, behavior, speech, and nonverbal communication. While there is no general consensus among medical professionals about the underlying causes of ASD, theories range from genetic inheritance to environmental factors.
One of the most controversial theories to have emerged in recent times is that ASD could be caused by the MMR [mumps, measles, rubella] vaccine that was first developed in the 1960s. The vaccine is a mixture of three live viruses and is administered via injection to children when they are one year old. By the late 1990s, this vaccination had led to the near-eradication of measles in countries that employed widespread inoculation. However, a combination of spurious scientific data and alarmist media attention led to an entirely preventable resurgence in measles cases in the early 21^stcentury.
The first claims of a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism were made in 1998, when an article in The Lancet, a respected British medical journal, reported on eight cases of autism that could possibly be traced back to the administration of an MMR vaccine.
An onslaught of media coverage followed the publication of this article. The popular press quickly seized upon this story; in 2002, over 1200 articles were written about the link between MMR vaccines and ASD. Less than 30% of these articles, however, mentioned that an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence suggested that these vaccinations were completely safe.
Question: Which of the following can be inferred, based on information found in the passage?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can make this inference based on the fact that the vaccine "led to the near-eradication of measles in countries that employed widespread inoculation."
The majority of today's scientists think that ASD can be triggered by the MMR vaccine is incorrect. We cannot make this inference. The author states that there is an "overwhelming amount of scientific data" suggesting that the MMR vaccine is safe. The author states that the "alarmist media" is responsible for spreading this misinformation-not scientists.
More scientists attribute autism to genetic inheritance than to environmental factors is incorrect. The author doesn't state whether more scientists attribute autism to genetic inheritance than to environmental factors.
The number of people worldwide who are contracting the mumps is declining is incorrect. The author doesn't describe or imply a worldwide decline in the incidence of the mumps.

Autism and Vaccines Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Are a Range of Psychological Conditions