From the AP, via MSNBC.com:
WASHINGTON -- A special vaccine court ruled against parents with autistic children Thursday, saying that vaccines are not to blame for their children's neurological disorder.
The judges in the cases said the evidence was overwhelmingly contrary to the parent's claims — and backed years of science that found no risk.
This is outstanding news, as it gives legal recognition to what real science has demonstrated: namely, that there is zero evidence to suggest that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine causes autism.
While I am in no way a scientist, I was married to one, and I have no patience for those who make fallacious arguments based upon junk science and vague anecdotal "evidence".
I do have a great deal of sympathy for the parents of these children. I recognize the difficulties they face in raising autistic children, and what's more, I understand the desire to find a reason for their child's condition.
But vaccines have saved more lives on this planet than anything else in the long history of medicine, and have in some instances been central to eradicating some diseases once and for all.
A good day for science. A good day for medicine. A good day for children.
UPDATE: Courtesy of Adam B in the comments, here's a link to the opinions.
Update II: Several people in the comments have suggested that the "Science wins" headline is somehow insensitive to the plaintiffs in this case - the parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. This is by no means intended. The fact of the matter, though, is that good research won out today over poor research, speculation, and ill-informed scapegoating. And the consequences of the case having gone the other way are too numerous and potentially catastrophic to ponder. Vaccines save lives.
UPDATE III: DemFromCT now has a front page post concerning the decision.