Episode 11: MMR? Who knows?

After reading through research and discussing the MMR theory with parents of children with autism, I've decided that I'm too dumb to decide one way or the other.  Frankly, I don't think anyone knows what causes autism and I don't think worrying about what causes it will help treat those already affected.  It's important to know what causes it to prevent further cases, but there's nothing inherently "wrong" with individuals with autism and they deserve the full attention of intervention specialists and families.  Time that is wasted on anger could be spent on enhancing the life of a person with autism with love.


"Parents of children with autism who adhere to the idea that vaccinations cause autism are often radicalized by the push-back by professionals who dismiss their claims outright.  I've made the mistake of doing the same things when I began reading the literature; but, after reading hundreds of scientific journal articles and government reports, I can only confidently state that I have no idea what causes autism.  Nobody does.


So, there's evidence that MMR vaccines have nothing to do with the onset of autism.  There's also evidence that government agencies who distribute these vaccinations and the pharmaceutical companies that produce them for profit have worked to cover up information relative to their link to autism.  There's also evidence that the chemicals in question have caused brain swelling in the brains of monkeys, but that's not the only comorbidity with ASD.  When faced with this kind of situation, I have to declare ignorance.  I have no idea what actually causes autism; but, until I find conclusive evidence that it plays a causal role, I have to consider vaccinations as non-causal.


What should be done?  Well, more research should be done and that research should be as non-biased as possible.  The problem is, no research study is perfect and there's little money out there for research that comes from non-invested parties.  Of course the pharmaceutical companies are going to be the ones testing their drugs; they're their drugs.  And, if MMR proponents fund a different study, the argument of bais will persist.


When government agencies and scientists are held in the pockets of companies, the workings of government start to get mucked up.  Jon Stewart of The Daily Show coined a term for this; it starts with the word "cluster" and rhymes with the word "duck."


Science and social engineering are not concerned with the individual or an individual family.  Science has, unfortunately, taken a decidedly non-humanist path and is thinking in terms of populations, not people.  Any professional who categorizes a concerned parent as a conspiracy nut or loon needs their own head checked and maybe an injection of empathy.  But, both sides of this argument need to appreciate that there is no right or wrong answer as of yet.  Vaccine's may be a factor in the development of ASD; they may only effect those who are genetically predisposed to ASD; they may have no relationship at all and simply be administered at a coincidentally similar time as symptom expression; who knows?  Nobody knows.  Let's keep discussing it and do the best that we can with a group of really great kids who will grow up to be a group of really special adults with autism."