What are some instances of scientific fraud in medical science which led to large scale damage before it was caught out?

Dr. Wakefield's study on autism being linked to vaccinations. Or should I say FORMER Dr. Wakefield, as he was stripped of his medical license. His study was fraught with misconduct, used cherry-picked results, bribed participants, and was funded by anti-vaccination groups. Further, just before publishing his study, MISTER Wakefield filed a patent for a vaccine that would have "solved" the problem.  As a result of this study, millions of people, especially in England and the US, refused to vaccinate their children out of fear of autism, and diseases such and whooping cough, measles, and tuberculosis began to surge after years of being under control.

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Joel Ruggaber on Quora:

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