You might also find this episode of the podcast “This American Life” interesting – http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1275
(you don’t have to listen to the whole thing – just the first bit).
Terry

“There is a great deal of evidence to prove that immunisation of children does more harm than good.”
?

Dr. J. Anthony Morris, former chief Vaccine Control Officer, US Food and Drug Administration, FDA

and who said:

The only wholly safe vaccine is a vaccine that is never used?”

Dr. James A. Shannon, National Institute of Health(NIH)
USA

Look for Dr. Archie Kalokerinos on the web, look for scientists and doctors against vaccine and you will be surprised at what you may find.

look up John Rappaport and vaccines, and you will be astounded.

A very compelling presentation. I’m impressed with your passionate arguement about media “scaremongers”. This included rolling out the MP to support this.

I’m more concerned you are becoming the media you personally regulate on health matters. For example, you missed broadcasting information about Merck, who are replacing the single MMR with indiviudal doses. This is monumental decision in attempt to kerb falling sales and to increase vaccinations. It’s important this message gets through to families who need to make the decision about MMR.

I’ve researched Autism and links with MMR over a period of two years. I agree the Denmark research holds, as you conclude no direct link. Although, there are a number of organisations conducting smaller studies. A good resource for Autism is the Autism research insitute.

Autism is growing at an alarming rate (perhaps detection is better 1:150)on a global scale. Parents are latching onto hearsay trying to establish what happend to their son or daughter. Most Medical practitioners pursue chronic desease management for Autism, leaving parents to their own devices. This is not acceptable as this leads to what you presented in your report, scaremongering and attempting alternative primary care with little or no knowledge or support. Parents are naturally looking for scapegoats, in this case MMR vaccinations.

For the record, I have two sons (3yr, 4yr), one with autism and one without. I have researched:

Autism/ASD as a chronic desease
MMR
Early intervention
Biomedical intervention
Aleternative interventions

I would advise readers to consult their GP and ask the awkward questions. Any GP worth his or her salt will be able to produce information about MMR and safety aspects. Make informed decision.

My own conclusion,the MMR is an important vaccination and parents need understand the risks of taking or avoiding. I have not been convinced either way about links with Autism. My concentration is working with my son, on his future learning and development.

It’s still an absolute disgrace that the news reporters are still captioning this as “a personal view” while still spreading ridiculous scare stories with no such caveats.

@ Dr Jim 60: I’m jealous. People are always surprised to learn I have a science degree. Maybe I should go for the Gail Trimble look.

The piece was engaging. You will have really caught some thinking peoples’ ears with your claim that pharma companies have done crooked things, but this isn’t one of them. An uninformed thinking person will accept help from a proclaimed authority who shows such nuance and, thus, who appears to be honest. That gets them started in the right direction in their pursuit of the facts and their interpretation. We need such people in the realist camp.

Having remarked on this before, I think the tank top should definitely become a BG trademark. It’ll aid public recognition.

Oh, and where can I get a “Talk Nerdy To Me” sticker?!

http://www.typetees.com/product/1727/Actually_medicine_is_the_best_medicine

(p.p.s. In a statement the like of which big pharma would be loathe to make, I have no commercial involvement with the above website)

I’m curious: On Nick Wallis’ blog, he says that you told him that LBC have invited you on Jeni Barnett’s programme to discuss MMR, but (so far) you’ve refused. Why? I mean, it would be a seriously unpleasant thing to do, and that’s certainly reason enough. Time-consuming, too. But on the other hand, it would be a counterpoint in the same timeslot, which is one thing you’ve lobbied LBC to do…

I am a little worried you are becoming a media package but I guess you wouldn’t get on the telly otherwise and some one has to do it. The new Magnus Pyke?

Did some one really say ‘Nerd chic!’ – about the tank-top!

Don’t worry about your hair, it’s fine! I also like the “white-shirt-with-turned-up-sleeves” that you seem to like wearing.

I agree with biggerpills #29, such an excited, passionate presentation is much more plausible (and memorable) than an Aric Sigman.

And I can see your point about the outro: good!

I was approached in the street the other day by a gentleman who asked me, “What do you do for a living?”

Rather bemused, I told him I was a research scientist. “I KNEW IT! Fantastic!”, he exclaimed. I should probably add that I have hair not unlike yours, and rather furry jowls to boot.

Rather than feeling like I had reinforced one member of the public’s opinion that we are all ‘mad scientists’ (which is a professional stereotype that doesn’t especially serve our best interests), it rather made my day.

On a lighter note I loved the hair and tank top combo. Nerd chic!