The ruling came from a panel of "special masters" who began hearing three test cases in 2007 involving children with autism -- a disorder that their parents contend was triggered by the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella combined with vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative.

CNN: Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules

Dr Ingrid Winship, another member of the research team, said a test could inform women with a family history - who make up between 10% and 30% of cases - if they were at risk.

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