I'm a big believer in science, especially medical science. That's why I get so worked up when I see people taking their cues in life from idiot celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy, Kristin Cavallari, etc. This is particularly true when it comes to the subject of vaccinating your children. Sometimes, there are NOT two sides to every story. In any case, as the result of the actions of these celebrities spewing their mindless, scientifically-debunked nonsense that vaccination can lead to an increased risk of autism, we now have increasing numbers of people all over the world who are being diagnosed with diseases which had basically become extinct in this country, such the whooping cough, mumps and measles. Recent stories confirm this fact:
See here and
here. Again, let's keep in mind, these diseases had effectively been eradicated. They are now back.
Does this mean that a fractional percentage of people aren't at risk of a bad reaction to these vaccinations? No, of course not, but the vast, vast majority of people are protected by them. As well, and as a species, we benefit from a "herd effect"--in other words, society is protected by the fact that we are all (supposed to be) immunized. That herd protection is eliminated by those who are not vaccinated.
I'm willing to go one step further than most people--I think that those who peddle these dangerous ideas are guilty of criminal negligence. At the very least, they should be open to civil suits.
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