INDIANAPOLIS -- Research that linked the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to autism and bowel disease was retracted Tuesday, setting off a firestorm of controversy about the 1998 study and the repercussions of it.

In some cases, medical researcher Andrew Wakefield subjected young children to invasive medical procedures, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

The study prompted countless parents to avoid getting the immunization for fear of autism because of the mercury contained in the vaccine.

Dr. Craig Erickson, a psychiatrist at Riley Hospital for Children's Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, said he thinks the research caused some harm, but thinks most experts had already discounted the 1998 study.

"I would tell those parents that there's never been good conclusive evidence that there's an association between any vaccinations, MMR or otherwise, with autism-related disorders," Erickson said.

Parents such as Amanda Melsheimer, whose son Skip, 21, is autistic, never bought into the theory, yet she feels for parents who did, knowing it offered them a glimmer of hope.

"I've never believed it has anything to do with the vaccinations. There's a lot of different theories out there, and you have one you can … hold onto, only to find out that it's completely off base," Melsheimer said.

Melsheimer believes many parents hold onto theories because they simply want to know why their child was afflicted.

"For me, I don't have to have a reason. I'm completely happy with who he is. I feel blessed to have what I have," she said. "I don't have to have a reason why he is the way that he is."

Many people believed the vaccine theory because children are often diagnosed with autism shortly after the shot is administered, around 18 months into their lives.

Erickson said there's no exact cause for autism, but rigorous research has allowed for approved treatments of symptoms.

"We have a lot of good research on treating things like aggression, self injury, severe tantrums and hyperactivity," Erickson said.

Erickson doesn't think the recanted research will have an affect because there has long been a progressively building mountain of evidence against the association since the 1998 research was released.

Melsheimer said she hopes people will continue to raise awareness of children afflicted with autism so that more people know about them and are more comfortable around them.

"As a mother, I would love to have a conversation with him, to know what his hopes are, what his dreams are," she said. "Does he like the pop tarts I give him every morning? I know I would love to have that."