And More From Jay Gordon in the Huffington Post
I had heard that the Huffington Post could be startlingly anti-vaccine, and sure enough, here is Jay Gordon’s post there. He says:
Let me state very simply, vaccines can cause autism.
And later in the day, yet another post on the same subject:
Vaccines as they are now manufactured and administered trigger autism in susceptible children.
I had only heard of Jay Gordon before today when he came up on my online support board, and it was usually regarding sleep. I guess he has a sleep method for babies. Now I’m coming to see that he is apparently a real force behind the anti-vaccine folks.
I found a nice post on Science Blogs which deconstructs Dr. Gordon’s forward to Jenny McCarthy’s book. And maybe that’s what I should post as a response on my online bulletin board. Because it does a better job than I could do at explaining just why Dr. Gordon is wrong.
His articles on Huffington Post send chills down my spine. For anyone who has a baby, and especially a baby boy, autism is this huge specter that haunts our every waking moment. My little eight month old boy often waves his arms around in excitement, and every time it happens, I first think it’s cute and then can’t shake the horrible thought that he is showing early signs of autism. “Is it that flapping? Is he flapping? Wait, did he just refuse to make eye contact with me?” And then I try to calm myself, because he’s obviously so responsive and so interactive–he couldn’t possibly be autistic. And then I remember the whole regression issue, and I get scared again. Autism is so scary, and it’s so much because we don’t know what causes it, or if it’s largely genetic, and so we have zero ability to prevent it.
It may sound silly, but I’ve almost prepped myself for our baby being diagnosed somewhere along that autistic spectrum. His father is a huge collector, and all the collections are lined up in these straight lines. And well, then there’s that arm flapping thing. I’ve watched so many YouTube videos, poring over them for signs in young infants. And then I just try to acclimate myself to the idea that our kid will probably have it. And then I see how much he digs being around people–he’s kind of a social butterfly–and I think, “No way.”
So even though I’m convinced that anti-vaxxers are really amazing in their ability to deny reality, reading Gordon’s articles just makes me sick to my stomach. It’s frightening, and I can really see why women on my online groups are still trying to split up these vaccines. I’m sure they are just reasoning that it’s better to be safe than sorry, and as long as there’s any doubt–even one little teeny tiny iota–better split up the vaccines or do an alternate schedule or what have you. And here’s this nationally recognized doctor telling them yes, keep doubting, keep being paranoid, keep thinking big pharma is lying to you.
Hey, I guess this is what free press is all about. This guy has a right to spout off like this. He believes what he’s saying. And he truly believes he will be vindicated someday. And sadly, he has lots of influence.
Stacy Said,
February 18, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Freedom of speech is only valid until it poses a public health threat (like yelling fire in a theater). Considering the high percentages required for herd immunity for these diseases, getting even 20% of the public to follow him could be a serious health risk to the entire population. Allowing bad science to be circulated over and over in the name of free press is DANGEROUS. It should be fought, preferably with accurate data.
Julie Said,
February 18, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
You make a great point, and I can’t say I disagree entirely. But isn’t shutting a guy like this up even more dangerous? Then the anti-vaxxers will say, “Look, he’s being silenced! He must be right!”
Stacy Said,
February 18, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
Hence me suggesting we shut him up by deluging the system with accurate media. When he (and the reports he cites) ceases to be half of the data people read, he’ll look less credible, because people will see that the preponderance of data, well researched data, does not jive with his assertions. Gag orders never work for either side – only prolific, well done research and open reporting of it can defeat the mysticism and religious fervor. Some will always object, but disproving their conspiracy theories about the feds and medical industry covering things up will go a long way to getting folk to assess things more rationally.
catgirl Said,
February 19, 2009 @ 7:57 am
I’m not an expert and obviously can’t diagnose your husband, but the collecting and lining up thing sounds more like OCD than autism, although it’s probably just a personality quirk. I’m not trying to scare you with another disease, but just don’t get so caught up in worrying about autism that you don’t notice anything else.
Julie Said,
February 19, 2009 @ 8:22 am
How funny catgirl. But really, it’s not the rational mom part of my brain that has those fears. Although OCD…hmm. Maybe that explains why all the drawers in our place are so very organized. I have to say that if that’s the case. so be it. It works out well for me, since I have no disorders that involve cleanliness or organization.
Corey Said,
February 19, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Don’t confuse freedom of speech issues with Gordon’s responsibilities to the public.
We – the public – bestow on Dr. Gordon an honorific and a position of prominence (recognition of his expertise) because of his education and qualifications as an M.D. We – the public – have the right to insist that he use this position we have granted to him in a way that serves our interests.
We’ve become far, FAR too willing to allow people like Gordon, who know better, to spout misinformation and damage the lives (or end the lives) of our children. We do this in part because we believe everyone is entitled to an opinion. But Dr. Gordon cannot have it both ways. He IS entitled to his opinion, but when he couples this with his implied authority and expertise as an M.D., we have a right to insist he meet certain standards of truth and evidence.
If we stood up, and if the governing bodies that bestow these doctorates listened, less of this misinformation would reach the public.
molly Said,
February 22, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
this Gordon guy, wasn’t he the one who “treated” ie failed to treat that kid for AIDS several years ago? Is he actually trying to kill people? I have only mean things to say about him. I also fail to understand how he is still practicing. ugh.