Comments on: And More From Jay Gordon in the Huffington Post

By: molly

molly — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:35:06 +0000

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.

By: Corey

Corey — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:57:54 +0000

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.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:22:15 +0000

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.

By: catgirl

catgirl — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:57:57 +0000

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.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:06:41 +0000

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.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:45:51 +0000

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!”

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:40:01 +0000

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.