RESPECTFUL INSOLENCE

"A statement of fact cannot be insolent." The miscellaneous ramblings of a surgeon/scientist on medicine, quackery, science, and pseudoscience (and anything else that interests him).

Antivaccine nonsense Complementary and alternative medicine Medicine Quackery

Mandatory reading to rebut the antivaccine “too many too soon” propaganda

Post author By Orac
Post date November 21, 2008
13 Comments on Mandatory reading to rebut the antivaccine “too many too soon” propaganda

Leave it to an infectious disease specialist (Dr. Mark Crislip) to dismantle the most recent favorite talking point of the antivaccine fringe, namely “too many too soon,” that deceptive and scientifically ignorant concept that somehow the current vaccine schedule “overwhelms” the immune system of infants, causing all manner of chronic health conditions and neurological problems, including autism. In his usual characteristic level of sarcasm that earns him a tip of the hat as far as not-so-respectful insolence goes, he entitles his lesson:

The infection schedule versus the vaccine schedule.

It should be mandatory reading for Barbara Loe Fisher, Jenny McCarthy, J.B. Handley, Dan Olmsted, Kim Stagliano, and all the other antivaccine cranks over at Age of Autism and elsewhere who endanger public health with their pseudoscientific cult belief that vaccines cause autism and all sorts of horrific complications. Not that it will do any good. These people long ago left reason and science behind when it comes to anything having to do with vaccines. But I’m an optimist. Hope springs eternal.

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By Orac

Orac is the nom de blog of a humble surgeon/scientist who has an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his copious verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few probably will. That surgeon is otherwise known as David Gorski.

That this particular surgeon has chosen his nom de blog based on a rather cranky and arrogant computer shaped like a clear box of blinking lights that he originally encountered when he became a fan of a 35 year old British SF television show whose special effects were renowned for their BBC/Doctor Who-style low budget look, but whose stories nonetheless resulted in some of the best, most innovative science fiction ever televised, should tell you nearly all that you need to know about Orac. (That, and the length of the preceding sentence.)

DISCLAIMER:: The various written meanderings here are the opinions of Orac and Orac alone, written on his own time. They should never be construed as representing the opinions of any other person or entity, especially Orac's cancer center, department of surgery, medical school, or university. Also note that Orac is nonpartisan; he is more than willing to criticize the statements of anyone, regardless of of political leanings, if that anyone advocates pseudoscience or quackery. Finally, medical commentary is not to be construed in any way as medical advice.

To contact Orac: [email protected]

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