A comprehensive new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association debunks the theory that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is associated with an increased risk of autism.

Although previous studies have already disproven the myth of a link between the vaccine and autism, anti-vaccine proponents continue to suggest that a possible link exists. The study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, examined more than 95,000 children who received the MMR vaccine over a period of 11 years.

All of the children received the vaccine. Two percent of the children in the study had an older sibling with autism and were considered at higher risk due to the established genetic predisposition. Researchers also found that children who had a sibling with autism were less likely to be vaccinated.

Researchers compared the incidence of developing autism in the children who had a sibling with autism and those who had no family history of autism and received the vaccine. The findings showed that there was no increased incidence of developing autism in either group.

In fact, the researchers' final conclusion determined the only link that existed was between children not receiving the MMR vaccine and an increased risk of developing measles, mumps and rubella.

The findings of the study were not surprising to scientists and doctors who have dedicated themselves to educating the public on the importance of vaccinations and have worked to discredit the initial research by Dr. Andrew Wakefield responsible for fueling the anti-vaccination movement. Wakefield, U.K.-based gastroenterologist, lost his medical license after he published a false study in 1998 claiming that he found a link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

Doctors believe this fallacious study along with widespread media coverage of anti-vaccination supporters' unfounded claims contributed to the recent measles outbreak at Disneyland in California. Lawmakers have since tried to mandate vaccines for all children in California attending private and public schools, but the legislation has been temporarily put on hold after protesters prevented the passage of the law.

Researchers and physicians hope the findings of the new study help quell parents' fears about vaccinating their children, regardless of whether they already have one child diagnosed with autism. One child out of every 68 born in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism, and although scientists are unsure as to why autism rates continue to rise, researchers say that the results from this study prove there is no connection between MMR and autism.

Recent findings have suggested that autism may begin to develop in utero. A new study shows that pre-existing health conditions in the mother may increase the chance of giving birth to an autistic child. Children born to mothers with Type 2 diabetes are 20 percent more likely to develop autism, and children born to mothers who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant were also at risk.