At first I wasn't going to write this post since I believe that a film that appears to be (at least in part) based on thoroughly discredited, fear-mongering nonsense should get as little attention as possible.
Then after browsing several anti-vaccine and conspiracist websites I found as I suspected, that this has already exploded and whatever I write here won't make matters any worse.
The film 'Vaxxed' is directed by Mr Andrew Wakefield, a former physician who lost his medical license after research that he had authored, was found fraudulent (containing as I understand it, both methodological and ethical flaws).
Just watching the trailer for this film elevated my BP into dangerous territory. How is it that this man keeps promoting the same debunked data to this day? Hasn't it caused enough harm already?
It seems that anti-vaccine proponents span the entire spectrum from sadly misinformed to clearly unhinged. However, no matter what their individual motivation happens to be, they are in my opinion dangerous. We have fought a hard battle against diseases that today are vaccine-preventable. Millions of children have died in the past and some still do, to this day. We don't see much of it in first-world countries due to the success of vaccines. Anti-vaccine proponents seem to believe that the "olden days" were better. I think it's deeply worrisome.
In my escapades around the internet, I've found all sorts of scary blogs, clips and opinions relating to childhood vaccines.
This YouTube clip rather amusingly (in a sad way) has 90 likes and zero (!) dislikes (probably because no rational person would even click on it in the first place). (I'm not sure what this says about me)
Anyway this women thinks that nagalese (an enzyme) is added on purpose to vaccines in order to induce autism, cancer and type 2 diabetes in vaccine recipients. And the doctors who discovered this were subsequently murdered to cover this up. This vaccine tampering seems to be a part of some nefarious population control plot.
(It seems that alpha-N-acetylgalactoseaminidase (referred to as nagalese in the YouTube clip) can deglycosylate vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and DBP plays a role in the immune cascade response. So it seems that alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase can interfere with the immune response. While some cancer cells can release alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, I've found no proof that injecting them into humans induces cancers, never mind autism and DMII. I will however admit that I didn't spend an inordinate amount of time researching her theory).
I admit that this last video is a bit extreme. But this woman and other "anti-vaxxers" have one thing on common. They are willing to accept something as true, even when there is no supporting evidence available.
Serious questions:
* Why are some people so vulnerable/susceptible to flawed logic and poor research?
* What can we as nurses/healthcare professionals do to ensure that our patients base their decisions on sound evidence-based facts or at least have the opportunity to do so? Or should we just reconcile ourselves with the fact that a portion of the population will base their decisions on questionable or outright false information, misconceptions and fear?
Rocknurse, you rock! Methinks the CDC doth protest too much. Let's hear from the "lead scientist" from the CDC--now a "whistleblower", named Dr. William Thompson, phD, who wants to testify before Congress,
Oh, let's DO hear from him! I believe he had this to say about vaccines:
I want to be absolutely clear that I believe vaccines have saved and continue to save countless lives. I would never suggest that any parent avoid vaccinating children of any race. Vaccines prevent serious diseases, and the risks associated with their administration are vastly outweighed by their individual and societal benefits.â€
If you want to hold this guy's opinions up as valid and worth believing, then you cannot omit the above statement. Doing so is incredibly disingenuous, but I bet you already knew that, yes?
Specializes in Pharmaceutical Research, Operating Room.
Oh, let's DO hear from him! I believe he had this to say about vaccines:
If you want to hold this guy's opinions up as valid and worth believing, then you cannot omit the above statement. Doing so is incredibly disingenuous, but I bet you already knew that, yes?
I believe you left out a lot of "the rest of the story" that Dr. William Thompson, phD is supposedly telling, in the film "VAXXED", so let's BOTH see the film, and THEN report our impressions, here.
I would also like to see the cowards in Congress stop hiding in the corners, and let Dr. William Thompson testify, about the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) attempt at a "coverup", regarding the data that the CDC tried to destroy, which data would show a connection between AUTISM and some vaccine ingredients.
Hi BostonFNP, I'm delighted that you are interested in seeing the film, "VAXXED"! Guess I did miss that. I would also like to see that film. Thank you for being open to seeing a controversial film! You're setting a great example, that I hope others here will follow.
Wow, BCgradnurse. You wrote "One doesn't need to "see the film"...." . Are you afraid to see something that doesn't necessarily agree with your present ideas?
I dare you to see the film, and then tell us what you think.
It's very unscientific, to pretend that you are a fortune teller, and that you can, in advance, tell us that the film doesn't need to be seen.
I personally will reserve judgment, until I have seen the film. I'm not afraid to do this. Why are you afraid?
If you're going to quote me, please do so accurately. I didn't say "one doesn't need to see the film", I said I would likely not see it. Whole different meaning. No fortune telling involved. I choose not to pay good money to see dreck that perpetuates dangerous lies. I might see it if it is shown on TV, I might not. It's not a communist country, ya know.....I can choose.
I believe you left out a lot of "the rest of the story" that Dr. William Thompson, phD is supposedly telling, in the film "VAXXED", so let's BOTH see the film, and THEN report our impressions, here.
I would also like to see the cowards in Congress stop hiding in the corners, and let Dr. William Thompson testify, about the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) attempt at a "coverup", regarding the data that the CDC tried to destroy, which data would show a connection between AUTISM and some vaccine ingredients.
It really doesn't matter what his story is, if after everything he witnessed, his CONCLUSION is that the risk of vaccines pales in comparison to their INDIVIDUAL and societal benefit, that they did and continue to save lives.
Didn't we JUST go over your premise for your second paragraph just a few moments ago?
Again, we are all wasting our time and "breath" (although I admit I'm as guilty as anyone -- I know better, but just can't help myself sometimes) debating with the anti-vaxx crowd (or anyone in the pseudoscience camp on any topic -- I don't want to appear to be singling out the anti-vaxxers). Whatever legitimate data we provide that counters their existing beliefs is unlikely to change their minds, just inspire them to cling more firmly (dare I say "desperately"?) to what they "know."
Hi BCgradnurse. You are right. It was not you, who said "One doesn't need to see the film....". It was BostonFNP. I apologize for my mistake. I also agree with you, that we shouldn't have to pay to see the film, so I too hope it will be shown on TV!
Again, we are all wasting our time and "breath" (although I admit I'm as guilty as anyone -- I know better, but just can't help myself sometimes) debating with the anti-vaxx crowd (or anyone in the pseudoscience camp on any topic -- I don't want to appear to be singling out the anti-vaxxers). Whatever legitimate data we provide that counters their existing beliefs is unlikely to change their minds, just inspire them to cling more firmly (dare I say "desperately"?) to what they "know."
But, it is INGRAINED in me to shine light on ignorance, false facts, and grammar (Especially grammar). I also have noticed that concerned lady has not responded to me, and I have only been nice to her. I wonder if I am blocked? I mean I even agreed with one of her posts.
Oh well, at least they are now listening to Boston. I think my job here is done.
I would also like to see the cowards in Congress stop hiding in the corners, and let Dr. William Thompson testify, about the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) attempt at a "coverup", regarding the data that the CDC tried to destroy, which data would show a connection between AUTISM and some vaccine ingredients.
I hate to be so picky, but again, I am compelled to reiterate that there was no "destruction of data". The data was just omitted and later used in a paper by Hooker and Thompson which was retracted after it was discovered that they themselves had falsified the data when Hooker has a vested interested in forwarding his own personal agenda.
I hate to be so picky, but again, I am compelled to reiterate that there was no "destruction of data". The data was just omitted and later used in a paper by Hooker and Thompson which was retracted after it was discovered that they themselves had falsified the data when Hooker has a vested interested in forwarding his own personal agenda.
Where is your CONCERN, lady about this? Do you continually ignore it because it doesn't serve your agenda?
And do you also know that research has been done in REAMS all over the world by scientists who have no investment whatsoever in the CDC, and NONE OF IT shows any causal relationship between MMR and autism? Oh, I'm quite sure you do know this. And if you don't, you really should be reading up on this rather than hanging out on a nursing forum putting forth extremely thin knowledge of the subject.
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to cover this up. This vaccine tampering seems to be a part of some nefarious population control plot.
Horseshoe, BSN, RN
5,879 Posts
Oh, let's DO hear from him! I believe he had this to say about vaccines:
If you want to hold this guy's opinions up as valid and worth believing, then you cannot omit the above statement. Doing so is incredibly disingenuous, but I bet you already knew that, yes?