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

This is part 1 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

[DonExodus2]

Oxygen contains free radicals which cause cancer. Please, for the sake of humanity, stop breathing.

[DonExodus2]

Right, epidemiological studies dont work on toxins..

....

[sirnlawson]

@shirlsmid

P.S.

"Illiterate (comparative more illiterate, superlative most illiterate)

Unable to read and write.

Having less than an expected standard of familiarity with language and literature, or having little formal education.

Not conforming to prescribed standards of speech or writing."

Sorry, I don't really fit that definition either. You're not having much luck, really.

[sirnlawson]

@shirlsmid

Admittedly, "bodily functions" could be misunderstood.

The word "may", however, should not be.

Let me try this again.

"Disease (plural diseases)

(pathology) An abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort or dysfunction; distinct from injury insofar as the latter is usually instantaneously acquired.

(by extension) Any abnormal or harmful condition, as of society, people's attitudes, way of living etc."

Decide for yourself, does Autism fit that definition?

[shirlsmid]

@sirnlawson Autism does not impair bodily functions. Autism is not caused by invading organisms or autoimmune diseases. Read the words; do they make sense? Sheesh, what an illiterate society.

[chriscoolguy15]

@compactdisk2 It doesn't take someone with autism to diagnosis someone with autism, (so easy a caveman can do it.)

[compactdisk2]

@cloudsifter11 You are a moron. I get the feeling you don't know a whole lot about math. A few facts about autism & increasing rates: The range of symptoms that are considered autism was dramatically increased, leading to far more people being diagnosed. Also, diagnosis techniques have improved dramatically, also leading to more diagnosis. I don't know what kind of fantasy world you live in, but I don't get the impression you're interested in honest research, just trying to prove yourself right.

[compactdisk2]

@cloudsifter11 Are you kidding me? A) The MMR vaccine no longer contains thimerosol (which is what the anti vax loons consider mercury, even though that's not entirely accurate), and B) Even when it did, the amount of mercury that entered your system was a tiny fraction of what you'd get eating a tuna sandwich. You really need to do some actual research, instead of just reading anti-vaccine websites.

[compactdisk2]

@cloudsifter11 WTF are you talking about? You clearly have no clue how peer review works. If you actually understood how the scientific community worked, you'd realize that the biggest critics of big pharma are the "mainstream scientists" who you hate. They just criticize the actual issues, not the made up junk science you buy into.

[compactdisk2]

@cloudsifter11 You have GOT to be kidding me. They have not given up on global warming at all, and to throw in the whole "cooling" thing just shows that you are completely ignorant of the facts. Global warming has been discussed since the 1950's. There were a handful of scientists in the 70's that proposed cooling was more likely, but they were not the majority. You clearly haven't got the slightest clue what you're talking about.

[cloudsifter11]

@knifesson Largely- things that don't benefit big pharma don't get into mainstream literature... then big pharma says "oh your studies aren't peer reviewed"... but they fail to mention that if you aren't on the dole... you don't get peer reviewed in THEIR journals.

[cloudsifter11]

@fuckwaddy no no, the kind you are talking about come out and try to convince us of 'climate disruption' etc etc.... LOL