Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure

Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure

By: Paul A. Offit MD  

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Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5

A London researcher was the first to assert that the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine known as MMR caused autism in children. Following this "discovery," a handful of parents declared that a mercury-containing preservative in several vaccines was responsible for the disease. If mercury caused autism, they reasoned, eliminating it from a child's system should treat the disorder. Consequently, a number of untested alternative therapies arose, and, most tragically, in one such treatment, a doctor injected a five-year-old autistic boy with a chemical in an effort to cleanse him of mercury, which stopped his heart instead.

Children with autism have been placed on stringent diets, subjected to high-temperature saunas, bathed in magnetic clay, asked to swallow digestive enzymes and activated charcoal, and injected with various combinations of vitamins, minerals, and acids. Instead of helping, these therapies can hurt those who are most vulnerable, and particularly in the case of autism, they undermine childhood vaccination programs that have saved millions of lives. An overwhelming body of scientific evidence clearly shows that childhood vaccines are safe and does not cause autism. Yet widespread fear of vaccines on the part of parents persists.

In this book, Paul A. Offit, a national expert on vaccines, challenges the modern-day false prophets who have so egregiously misled the public and exposes the opportunism of the lawyers, journalists, celebrities, and politicians who support them. Offit recounts the history of autism research and the exploitation of this tragic condition by advocates and zealots. He considers the manipulation of science in the popular media and the courtroom, and he explores why society is susceptible to the bad science and risky therapies put forward by many antivaccination activists.

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Release Date: 2008-09-22

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
A much needed read, not to be missed - Autism is a debate that has plenty of bad information flying around. "Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and The Search for a Cure" discusses autism and how bad information is leading to a generation of misinformed parents who don't understand their own children's problems and underestimating (or overestimating) their children's potential. Seeking to help readers realize the truth about Autism, "Autism's False Prophets" is a much needed read, not to be missed.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
!!MUST READ FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM!! - This is a scientifically based, factual book. Parts of it drag but READ IT ALL. The author uses other examples to drive his point home. For years I have seen people prey on parents who just want to help their children. They offer false hope ... for $$$. Bottom line, this author offers you the truth. He also has an extensive resource list and bibliography. I thoroughly researched both and found everything he said in this book to be true.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Incredibly helpful review of the history of autism research and treatment - As a person who knew very little about autism before reading this book, I am very pleased with the improvement of my own understanding of this "disease."

Offit has deftly articulated the primary obstacles to positive change in the lives of austistic people and their families. He clearly lays out which, and how, faulty theories about causes and false cures have been impediments to getting real results. What I commend him most about is the fact that he first lays out the information of the opposition's argument first, as it happened in real time. The reader is left coming to the same false conclusions first, and then being presented with the information that demonstrates its faults. The effect is that the reader cannot demonize anyone who was drawn in by the initial information. This movement from darkness and ignorance to the truth being brought to light plays out in the reader's mind as it did in the real history of autism research and treatment. The reader cannot then demonize the opposition, nor pity them as merely ignorant, but sympathizes with the factors that led them to their decisions, if not based in legitimate science or ethical medical practices.

What was most striking in this work was the call to stop the invalidation of the cognitive experience of autistic persons. Offit calls us all to remember that we are talking about human beings, and to continue to treat them as "damaged goods," as he puts it, is a terrible degradation.

Offit's book is a credit to his expertise and to his devotion to the truth. One only hopes that people will ignore the temptation of quick fixes and blame games, and work for positive results in the lives of autistic people.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
If You're Worried About Vaccines and Autism - READ THIS! - I couldn't put this book down. Very informative (and well documented) but written in such a way laypeople can understand. If you're wondering about the suggested vaccine-autism link, you MUST read this book.

Customer Review: 1 out of 5
Paul Offit, the real false prophet - When you really do your homework and learn how Dr. Offit has made millions off of his vaccine patents he holds, you see how it is actually Dr. Paul Offit that is the real False Prophet in this book.

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