5: Autism & Vaccines: How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the Public

This is part 5 of a 5-part talk given by Dr. Steven Salzberg at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on November 8, 2008. In the words of Dr. Salzberg's description of the talk, "Scientists and skeptics need to act to quell the rumors and educate the public, so that vaccines, one of the greatest medical successes in history, remain an effective tool in our fight against disease." The presentation was edited and omits video clips of Larry King and 60 Minutes and references to individual practitioners.

The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics. For more information about the National Capital Area Skeptics, and to learn about our upcoming events, visit www.ncas.org.

For more info about Dr. Salzberg and this talk, visit http://ncas.org/2008/10/autism-vaccines-how-bad-science.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Autism
• Vaccines
• Vaccine
• Skeptic
• Science

[Blakjak2000]

Wow, I had no idea how much damage was being done by McCarthy and co. They have an awful lot of blood on their hands.

[ponytrax]

Continued discussion of increased incidence of vaccine preventable disease, because parents are ignorantly failing to vaccinate out of fear.

Reviews evidence in published studies, indicating no autism epidemic, but: broadening diagnostic criteria, greater acceptance of labels by parents, better diagnostic tools.

Reviews causes: Genetics predominate, autism may really be multiple disorders, post-natal causes unlikely.

Reviews anti-science propaganda machine such as Generation Rescue.

[philsaspiezone]

Autism/Asperger syndrome is NOT a disease it is a human brain operating system, rather lik a computer that works on Windows XP or 7. Rightly so there is no epidemic of autism just there is better, more accurate diagnostic criteria for it. Before vaccination there has been autistic people including Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci etc just they have not been mentioned till well aftere their deaths.

[LeopardFrogPilboxhat]

You didn't watch this video series did you?

I bet you didn't watch this. He produced several studies that used sample sizes of hundreds of thousands to half a million children to show that there is no evidence for a link

[waffles497]

McCarthy and others are like all the frickin idiots who think they know better than alllllll the scientists with their YEARS of experience, training, and education. But OH NO, they read a few pages of science books and suddenly they know more than everyone. I know FAR TOO MANY people like this.

[MEasdead]

Perhaps when doctors get their heads out of their *** and stop trying to being talking heads for the pharmaceutical industry it might occur to someone that genetic predisposition causes the vaccines to cause autism in some individuals and not in others, perhaps. But that would lead to more testing, which the insurance companies to not want. The diseases harm us, but at this time the vaccines harm us as well. A change needs to be made. Standard care should not be the norm anymore.

[MEasdead]

"They" have shown there is no widespread epidemic. Well , firstly you have to "believe" the studies. Of course, you will quote the studies that support your underlying beliefs. [If you put "more" money toward more studies that support my views then you will find that "my" supportive historical evidence will be supported. ] Sheeessssh! What a talking head.

[kkaayyee321]

Better diagnosis of Measles and Pertussis and under-diagnosis of encephalitis, seizures, ADD, ADHD, Celiac, IBS, brain tumor, brain cyst, food allergy, malabsorption disorders, altzheimer's, dimentia, lead poisoning, aluminum poisoning, mercury poisoning, cadmium poisoning, skin infection, sensory disorder, fine motor skill weakness, gross motor skill weakness,L.D.(1 in 6 kids)

How convenient for insurance companies and pharma. Let's call it a spectrum that we don't know the cause or cure.

[Mookie61]

Excellent summary of the previous videos. If you have time to just see one, see this one.