Vaccine by Allen Arthur - a balanced review of a complicated subject.

[hedgehog]

I'd say he is generally pro-vaccine but also aware that vaccines aren't 100% safe and effective. He notes some of the disasters of the past but also gives a good explanation of the odds we play when we balance vaccines against illness. There is a chapter dedicated to the autism controversy.

[Felinity]

1. Gotta link? n/t

[hedgehog]

2. I just picked up a copy at the library - it's just out.

He makes a very good comment on how Web searches tend to be echo chambers - you seek out the information you agree with and ignore the rest.

[Felinity]

3. Oh, it's a BOOK! Thanks. n/t

[mzmolly]

4. Just found an interesting piece by Allen Arthur:

http://www.mindfully.org/Health/2002/Autism-Vaccine-Theory10nov02.htm

There are some really compelling books on the subject of vaccination.

Here are some reviews on Amazon: Sounds like "some" feel it's a biased presentation of the issue?

http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Controversial-Medicines-Greatest-Lifesaver/dp/0393059111/sr=8-1/qid=1171469362/ref=sr_1_1/105-2438524-7440423?ie=UTF8&s=books

[hedgehog]

5. The piece you refer to is 5 years old and written while Arther was still

researching the book.

As for the Amazon reviews, compare the professional reviews to customer comments. Most customers feel it is unbiased. The book is heavily footnoted, so I would tend to accept what Arther has to say over someone who already has an ax to grind. As I said, he does list known risks of failures of vaccines and does a good job of analyzing the autism/vaccine controversy.

[mzmolly]

6. I've read several well researched books on the subject, and have spent years

looking at all sides of the issue. I find the comments on the book to be telling:

The only accurate part of this book is where Allen refers to CDC scientists believing that they do "God's work" and that parents questioning vaccine safety are "questioning God". That accurately reflects the current and past culture of those proporting to do vaccine safety research at the CDC. This also explains the lack of accountability at the CDC in the face of the mounting problems with the current vaccination schedule.

The remaining arguments are flimsy at best. Allen is no scientist and he has bought into many lies, hook, line and sinker. Do your kids a favor - move on... Buy a rational and balanced book about toxicology before vaccinating.

And this "positive review" is also telling:

This will appeal to many people, from history buffs to health professionals and those of us who also love a good story. Myself, I always enjoy the human behavior aspect to how things came to be in our society, and the story of vaccination is terrific. Aside from the fun aspect of this book, Mr. Allen manages to write compassionately about the real people who have believed that their children's autism was caused by vaccines. There has been so much propaganda and spurious argumentation around this issue (particularly by people like Don Imus--he should be ashamed of himself), which has unfortunately lead many parents of children with autism to believe that vaccination caused their child's disability.

Sounds like another effort to discredit legitimate critique of vaccines, while attempting to feign "compassion" for the "misguided" parents who feel their children changed after vaccination?

That said, I do encourage people to read many books on the subject of vaccination. Further, I can't form an opinion on a book I haven't read, but after reading the reviews, I find the "balanced perspective" claim iffy. Many people have looked at the research, all sides and come to different conclusions. For example, this author of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Harm-Vaccines-Epidemic-Controversy/dp/B000JU7MQ6/sr=8-45/qid=1171474713/ref=sr_1_45/105-2438524-7440423?ie=UTF8&s=books