EXHIBIT 2 Vaccines and Risk There is an on-going debate regarding possible links between vaccines containing thimerosal and the onset of autism. The data set below lists the percentages of California...

Need answers to questions 1, 2, and 3.

Extracted text: EXHIBIT 2 Vaccines and Risk There is an on-going debate regarding possible links between vaccines containing thimerosal and the onset of autism. The data set below lists the percentages of California children who received 4 doses of DTP by their second birthday and the number of autism cases logged in California's Department of Developmental Services' regional service center system. California 1980-1994 TABLE 1.16 California 1,400 1,200- 1980-1994 Number 1,000- 800 DTP of Year Coverage (%) Autism 600 Cases 400 50.9 176 1980 200- 201 1981 55.4 0- 1982 52.1 212 40 50 60 70 80 47.7 1983 229 DTP Coverage (%) 1984 48.9 246 1985 54.3 293 Questions 1986 54.1 357 1. Create a scatterplot of Autism Cases versus DTP Coverage. Does the plot show a positive association or a negative association? How do you know? Make sure you submit your plot with this assignment. 1987 55.3 347 1988 60.9 436 1989 62.2 522 1990 65.9 663 1991 67.3 823 1992 69.8 1,042 1993 73.6 1,090 Is the association weak or strong? Defend your reasoning. 2. 1994 75.7 1,182 3. Should parents take these data into consideration when deciding whether to vaccinate their children? Defend your reasoning. Dr. Loring Dales from the Immunization Branch of the California Department of Health Service made these data publically available at: http://www.putchildrenfirst.org/ media/4.6.pdf. See also http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11231748 84 BEYOND THE NUMBERS 1.26 Autism Cases