Vaccine-Autism War: Will Beating Up Jenny and Oprah End the War?

From Newsweek to Discover online to the self appointed protectors of science who contend that any questioning of the safety of injecting substances containing mercury, aluminum and biological agents directly into the blood of young children on dozens of occasions constitutes "woo" the Offit Offensive has rolled out with a vengeance lashing out at Jenny McCarthy and Oprah Winfrey for the attention they bring to parents' concerns about vaccine safety. Will these vicious personal attacks convince those parents who have seen their children regress into autism after vaccination? I doubt it. I doubt it very much.

If the self styled anti-woo brigade really wants to persuade parents that their concerns about multiple injections of potentially toxic chemicals and biological agents into their children's bloodstream is risk free they should change course. Stop repeating the same failed tactics over and over and over again. Do the comparison study of vaccinated and unvaccinated populations that credible health authorities like Dr. Bernadine Healy, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Dr. Duane Alexander and neurologist, university professor, "autism dad" and successful vaccine autism litigant, Dr. Jon Poling have all said could and should be done.

Dr. Paul Offit and others should stop the silly name calling. You will change no minds with such foolishness. Stop playing in the "woo" and do the credible studies to change minds. If you want to stem the tide of concern over vaccine safety do the research that will convince people of vaccine safety .... or start accepting your own responsibility for continued public suspicion over the safety of vaccines.

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In Praise of Jenny McCarthy

I do not share Jenny McCarthy's views on the MMR vaccine and autism.

Nor do I believe that she any better able to assess the evidence or the scientific literature on the subject than any other parent of an autistic child. But she does have the gift of celebrity status, the power to command media attention and disseminate her views. And it is harder to get better media attention than to appear on Oprah Winfrey's show. Much more effectively than this humble small town blogger can do. Although I disagree with her views though, I admire her willingness to fight for her child. Ms McCarthy has not embraced the culture of defeat, the attraction of the sweet surrender, of giving in and convincing yourself that there is joy in autism, a profoundly disabling neurological disorder. For that refusal to imbibe the kool aid of the cult of defeat Ms McCarthy deserves credit.

In speaking out and expressing her views on MMR vaccines and autism Ms McCarthy surely knew that she would be the object of ridicule. Some of the commentary is snide, some of it is out and out mean spirited and belittles only those who offer it. A cheap shot artist is a cheap shot artist, whether they sport a Ph. D. or not. Ms McCarthy spoke out to express her beliefs in support of helping her child. A noble cause. And she, and Ms Winfrey who hosted her on her show, are nobler for fighting for that cause. As for Ms McCarthy's friend Jim Carrey I know what it means to be an autism dad by fate. Mr Carrey has freely chosen to take on that role and also earned my admiration.

I don't agree with Ms McCarthy's MMR autism views, although future evidence could still prove her right and me wrong. But I admire her fight for her child, and Ms Winfrey for helping and Mr Carrey for caring and taking on the challenge.

Well done; all three of you.