A British reporter has finally gone back through the data from original "paper" that supposedly showed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism
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I have to say-I'm really not surprised by this at all. I've always thought the relationship between the vaccine and autism was something of a stretch, and am equally disgusted by parents who bought into something that had such weak evidence behind it and refused to vaccinate their children.
No I'm not surprised either, but the level of disregard for honesty and the scientific process is a bit shocking.
At the beginning, I felt bad for parents who bought into it, because, well, the vast majority of people don't really have the scientific background to be able to critically evaluate a paper like this and I'm sure they were desperate to have anything to grasp onto (to blame or to look towards for a cure).
But nowadays, study after study after study has proven Wakefield wrong and this new evidence shows he even made up his data in the first place and some parents are STILL trying to sue the government (see front page of NYTimes today) and are still in denial... I have no sympathy. They're hurting everyone, including their own children by forcing us to waste money on pointless studies.
I lost total respect for the idea and went digging when I saw it being presented as a conspiracy theory-I can understand being worried about one's children, but I think it's irresponsible and idiotic to buy into something that could potentially harm them (like not being vaccinated against deadly diseases) without trying to find a balanced opinion.
And even if the paranoid rambling had been true... I would rather have an autistic kid than take the chance of having a dead kid.
No I'm not surprised either, but the level of disregard for honesty and the scientific process is a bit shocking.EXACTLY. That's the part that makes me angriest. And as you say, the general public on the whole doesn't have the skill set to critically analyze scientific claims for themselves and decide on validity and veracity. Scientific pronouncement for many seems to have taken on something of the unquestioning "gospel truth" ring that used to belong in days gone by to...well, to the Bible
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It was an absolute cock up of a paper. Though his co authors have to take some responsiblity for not recognising the errors when they first submitted it
Yes definitely, I'm sure they were happy to ride the gravy train to media attention and fortune. But I guess it didn't take long for the consciences to catch up with them. At least that much.
That so called study has done a hell of a lot of damage. You wouldn't believe how often I have to correct the misconception that it was somehow accurate. As some one from a family of true scientists, I can't believe how many people have been fooled by it.
I've become convinced that the people who use the so called link between vaccines and whatever are just looking for an excuse, any excuse, not to vaccinate their kids. Vaccines are remarkably safe. Sure some people are injured by vaccines, but the numbers are so low compared to the benefits it's silly not to do them.
Tell me about it. It makes me so angry and to know now that it was completely fabricated and that he is unrepentant... And now, I guess you probably saw the news that the lawsuit against the Vaccine Compensation Fund was dismissed (rightly so) and the lawyers for the "victims" are saying they're going to appeal...
Great, let's waste government money, that's *exactly* what we need to do in this time.
The worst for me is having to educate speech pathologists who will be working closely with kids like mine. The places we go for speech therapy and occupational therapy often have students come in to be interns. I often give them a list of urls debunking whatever myths they repeat in my hearing.
I'd love to see the stupid case dismissed with prejudice. Maybe after the appeal they will?
I'm glad there is at least a small number of people like you who are trying to educate those who are ignorant of what all the evidence is saying.
It's very apparent that at this point, any scientist or doctor or expert who says "autism isn't caused by vaccines" is going to be shouted down. I'm afraid that you might be considered more trustworthy due to your own relevant experience than any scientist ever will be.
Trust me, as a scientist myself, I'm pretty disgusted at that as well. Aside from the sheer financial waste and emotional manipulations involved, the ethical implications of it boggle the mind.
I believe the parents are blaming the judges decision upon corruption by the ebil pharma industry and they are planning to appeal. So, it looks like the new thing is simply... more of the same.
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At the beginning, I felt bad for parents who bought into it, because, well, the vast majority of people don't really have the scientific background to be able to critically evaluate a paper like this and I'm sure they were desperate to have anything to grasp onto (to blame or to look towards for a cure).
But nowadays, study after study after study has proven Wakefield wrong and this new evidence shows he even made up his data in the first place and some parents are STILL trying to sue the government (see front page of NYTimes today) and are still in denial... I have no sympathy. They're hurting everyone, including their own children by forcing us to waste money on pointless studies.
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And even if the paranoid rambling had been true... I would rather have an autistic kid than take the chance of having a dead kid.
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I've become convinced that the people who use the so called link between vaccines and whatever are just looking for an excuse, any excuse, not to vaccinate their kids. Vaccines are remarkably safe. Sure some people are injured by vaccines, but the numbers are so low compared to the benefits it's silly not to do them.
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Great, let's waste government money, that's *exactly* what we need to do in this time.
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I'd love to see the stupid case dismissed with prejudice. Maybe after the appeal they will?
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It's very apparent that at this point, any scientist or doctor or expert who says "autism isn't caused by vaccines" is going to be shouted down. I'm afraid that you might be considered more trustworthy due to your own relevant experience than any scientist ever will be.
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