My Reply to Non Autism Expert Dr. David H. Gorski Also Known as ORAC

Dr. David H. Gorski, who is NOT an autism expert, somewhat ironically,

  attacks parents, professionals and journalists who disagree with

his autism disorders opinions as "quacks"

Dear Dr. David H. Gorski.

Thank you for acknowledging your total lack of autism expertise.  For the benefit of  readers unfamiliar with your "style:" I did not make the statements set out in quotation marks by you,  the learned Dr. Gorski which you altered to suit your (silly) purposes.  The statements in quotation marks are silly distortions, falsifications, of what I actually said in my blog comment on the Alex Spourdalakis case:

1. Orac

September 7, 2013

Shorter Harold (from that link):

“I’m awesome and know autism. I even have a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to prove it! Emily Willingham doesn’t and is exploiting the Alex Spourdalakis murder for evil intent. Oh, and it will be decided by the court, not bloggers.”

That last statement is what I refer to as a “Well, duh!” statement and an attack on a straw man. No one is claiming that the Spourdalakis case won’t be decided by the courts.

Add to that in the comments here:

“You can’t comment on the Alex Spourdalakis case unless you’re an expert in autism or have personal experience with autism. If you do comment your are proclaiming yourself falsely to be such an expert.!

Seriously, though, I share Kreboizen’s curiosity about Mr. Doherty’s stance towards autism biomed.

BTW, I added a couple of fresh quotes about the Spourdalakis case to this post, one from John Stone and one from Kim Stagliano. They are doozies, so much so that I wanted to feature them somewhere. I didn’t think they deserved their own post, however.

2.     In comment #50 on your Respectful Insolence blog rant Is Sharyl Attkisson feeling the heat over her irresponsible reporting of the Alex Spourdalakis case?   I asked a simple question in respect of the trial of Alex Spourdalakis case:

Anyone here know if Dr. David H. Gorski will be appearing in the Court proceedings to give testimony as an autism disorder expert?

You moderated (changed)  my comment to change the name in my question from Dr. David H. Gorski, your actual name, to  Orac, the name  under which you attack and denigrate autism parents, professionals,  journalists and anyone else who questions your opinions.

Harold L Doherty

Canada

September 7, 2013

Anyone here know if Orac will be appearing in the Court proceedings to give testimony as an autism disorder expert

Why you ran away from this simple truth is not clear since everyone knows that the Disrespectful AND Insolent blogger Orac is actually Dr. Davd H. Gorski.

As for my blog reference to my QE II Diamond Jubilee medal it  is simply a recognition that my involvement with autism, apart from my son's own severe autism disorder has also included 15 years of successful advocacy for all children and students with autism in New Brunswick, Canada to receive evidence based  (as determined by real autism experts like those at the office of the US Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment) early intervention and school instruction and support services.   At all times in any autism advocacy in which I was involved I have tried to follow such expertise and the expertise and guidance of local academics and clinicians, who unlike you Dr. Gorski, have considerable expertise in autism disorder issues.

Neither Ms. Emily Willingham nor Dr. David H. Gorski have published any references to indicate they have done any advocacy for children and students with autism disorders or that they have any academic or real life involvement with severe autism disorders and the impacts they have on parents and family members.  Instead they choose to attack parents of children with severe autism disorders about whose challenges both Willingham and Gorski are totally ignorant and ill informed.  

To address Dr. Gorski’s perpetual issue, and mode of dismissing any autism parent on any issue with which he disagrees, I support public vaccination programs and my family, including myself,  receive all vaccinations recommended by our family doctor. This fall I will receive a flu vaccine as recommended by my treating respiratory specialist after I was hospitalized this past spring with a respiratory infection coupled with an aggravated asthma attack. I follow my doctors' recommendations.   

Although I am not convinced of the role of vaccines (in causing autism in some cases) I do recognize that vaccines, like any medical treatment, can have adverse side effects.  This summer my younger son who also suffers from epileptic seizures suffered an adverse reaction to his anti-seizure medication of that time Lamictal/Lamotrogine.  ( For Dr. Gorski's benefit a high percentage of persons with autism also suffer from epileptic seizures, particularly when, like my son, they also have an intellectual disability). The conclusion that my son’s life threatening adverse reaction was caused by his medication rather than an infection was reached, after direct observation, testing and successful treatment  by the ICU team that saved his life, not by me.

Even the US Vaccine Court has recognized that vaccines can have harmful side effects some of which appear to relate to autism symptoms. (Dr. Gorski can challenge Dr. Jon Poling to a public debate  on that issue if he wishes to show off his all consuming  knowledge of science, vaccines and autism disorders.  No I won’t hold my breath waiting for a Gorski-Poling match  I don't  think Dr. Gorski has the parts for that).   What Dr. Gorski who is NOT an autism expert may not understand is that autism as a singular disorder is losing standing the community of autism experts who view autism more as a grouping of autism disorders or symptoms.  Arguably this paradigm shift will call into question some of the concessions made by the US in the Vaccine Court cases where autism like symptoms were acknowledged but not “autism”.

Dr. Gorski's venomous attacks on parents, professionals and journalists who do not share his views have not resulted, as far as I am aware, in an increase in public vaccination rates in the US. Given that fact it is difficult to see why he engages in such childish, unprofessional behavior other than one reason:  he enjoys making, he takes pleasure in making,  such attacks. There is only one person who has degraded Gorski's credibility to speak on autism issues and that person is "Dr" David H. Gorski himself. 

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Vaccine Autism Shocker: Study Reports Strong Evidence of Autism Connection to Aluminum and Acetaminophen Exposure

It is quite possible that a paper claiming that empirical data confirm autism symptoms are related to Aluminum and Acetaminophen exposure, and possibly to the MMR vaccine,  could put the research standing and careers of the authors in jeopardy.  The paper in the journal Entropy is tantamount to treason in some health circles and could invite serious retribution from those who have elevated vaccines to a level beyond criticism.  

The researchers, to my great surprise, did not try to sugar coat their findings in  Empirical Data Confirm Autism Symptoms Related toAluminum and Acetaminophen Exposure, published in Entropy, November 7, 2012: 

Abstract: Autism is a condition characterized by impaired cognitive and social skills, associated with compromised immune function. The incidence is alarmingly on the rise, and environmental factors are increasingly suspected to play a role. This paper investigates word frequency patterns in the U.S. CDC Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database. Our results provide strong evidence supporting a link between autism and the aluminum in vaccines. A literature review showing toxicity of aluminum in human physiology offers further support. Mentions of autism in VAERS increased steadily at the end of the last century, during a period when mercury was being phased out, while aluminum adjuvant burden was being increased. Using standard log-likelihood ratio techniques, we identify several signs and symptoms that are significantly more prevalent in vaccine reports after 2000, including cellulitis, seizure, depression, fatigue, pain and death, which are also significantly associated with aluminum-containing vaccines. We propose that children with the autism diagnosis are especially vulnerable to toxic metals such as aluminum and mercury due to insufficient serum sulfate and glutathione. A strong correlation between autism and the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is also observed, which may be partially explained via an increased sensitivity to acetaminophen administered to control fever.

.......................................................................................................................

6. Conclusion 

In this paper, we have presented some analyses of the VAERS database which strongly suggest that the aluminum in vaccines is toxic to vulnerable children. While we have not shown that aluminum is directly causative in autism, the compelling evidence available from the literature on the toxicity of aluminum, combined with the evidence we present for severe adverse reactions occurring much more frequently following administration of aluminum-containing vaccines as compared to non-aluminumcontaining vaccines, suggests that neuronal damage due to aluminum penetration into the nervous system may be a significant factor in autism. The fact that mentions of autism rose steadily concomitant with significant increases in the aluminum burden in vaccines, is highly suggestive. However, it is possible that other factors, such as more aggressive reporting or simultaneous increases in other environmental toxins, e.g., herbicides or pesticides, or aluminum in other products such as antiperspirants and antacids, may have contributed to these observed increases. We also observed a strong correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism, which we suggest could be explained by the effects of acetaminophen. 

We have proposed elsewhere that an impairment in cholesterol sulfate synthesis in the skin and in the vasculature may be causative in autism, and we argue here that vaccines can act synergistically with this impairment in the vulnerable child. We propose that simple corrective measures such as increased sunlight exposure and decreased use of sunscreen may help protect a child from a severe reaction to aluminum-containing vaccines, but we also feel that the vaccine industry should find a way to reduce or even eliminate the aluminum content in vaccines. 

As might be expected Dr. David H. Gorski, writing under the handle Orac has already spewed some venom on  one of the authors of the study in his blog commentary of November 20, 2012, Stephanie Seneff: Following the Geiers dumpster-diving in the VAERS database.  I am not sure why Gorski engages in the childish, self inflating style that he does. There is no question he has a loyal following but I doubt very much that he is persuading parents or others with vaccine concerns to abandon those concerns and vaccinate themselves and their children.   I suspect his venomous hostility is actually counter productive.

I have received the usual recommended vaccines and so have both of my sons. I have never suspected vaccines as contributing factors to my younger son's severe autistic disorder and profound developmental delays although I have not closed my mind on the possibility either should further research demonstrate such a connection.  I believe that more research is needed to persuade those with concerns and, if connections are shown, to recommend study and changes to eliminate those possible connections.

What I don't recommend is the strategy of attacking vaccine safety skeptics and expecting the attacks to change their minds.  That approach simply has not worked. A much better scientist than David Gorski, a gentleman named Albert Einstein, characterized "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" as a form of insanity.   I don't expect Orac to change his approach. Nor do I expect the results of his attacks to yield different results.  What would be helpful is to have the Seneff study findings properly rebutted or, if confirmed, the problems they point to addressed.

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Autism Stem Cell Treatment Research: Who is the Real Quack? Gorski (ORAC) or the FDA?

Real Quackery: Duck Flapping and Splashing  

Photos by HLDoherty 

In any commentary in which I dare question the self appointed protector of all things scientific, the ORACle known as Dr. David H. Gorski,  I have to begin with the statement that I recognize the public health importance of vaccines and that both of my sons, and I for that matter, have received all vaccines recommended by our local public health authorities in New Brunswick.  This statement is necessary because Dr. Gorski almost invariably alleges that anyone who questions the wisdom he brings down from the mountain top for us, the ignorant unwashed, is really just a closet anti-vaxxer.  I don't think vaccines are perfect though and it is my understanding that neurological damage has been caused by some vaccines in some individuals. I am aware also that Dr. Bernadine Healey had recommended further study of possible vaccine autism connections before her death ... and that some had vilified her for doing so.

Yesterday I commented on the fact that the FDA had approved a study to determine whether umbilical cord blood derived stem cells might be effective tools in treating autism. The article I quoted from contains some professional quotes indicating that the study is well designed and also contained a number of quotes expressly indicating that it is a very PRELIMINARY study.  I was happy to see research aimed at establishing or assessing possible treatments for autism disorders.  I was also happy that the study was, as reported in the article, approved by the US FDA.  To my thinking, as a humble autism dad,  FDA approval confirmed that the study would be conducted by appropriate guidelines, professionally and ethically. My commentary attracted a comment from MJ, author of the Autism Jabberwocky blog:

"Did you notice that the self-appointed high priest of science wrote (at least) two pieces on stem cells and autism? In the first he calls it quackery because it isn't evidence based and in the second says that studying the issue at all is unethical. He really seems to want to have it both ways. No treatments without proper research, which is reasonable, but no research because there is no evidence that it would work...."

I think MJ has made an excellent point.  How are we supposed to determine what is evidence based, effective treatment for autism or any other disorder, if no research is done to determine effectiveness?

Gorski`s objection to the ethics of a preliminary study of stem cells in treating autism disorders is set out in Is a trial of stem cell therapy in autism scientifically and ethically justified? :

``Think of it this way: Do you think that the evidence implicating a hyperactive immune system is strong enough to justify treating autistic children with prednisone? Cyclosporine? Other immunosuppressive drugs? If not, then why would anyone advocate using autologous stem cells, which appear to be immunosuppressive? Why on earth would an institute like the Sutter Neuroscience Institute carry out such a trial based on low prior probability? What sort of preclinical evidence did they have to justify this trial? The scientists in the article who say that the likelihood of a positive result from this trial is low are, if anything, too optimistic. The likelihood of a positive result is almost homeopathically low. When it comes to clinical equipoise, this trial looks to me as though it’s all risk with too little prospect of benefit to be justifiable without a lot more clinical evidence.``

While he is notorious for splashing for attention by flapping his wings and quacking out cheap insults at those who disagree with him, I have no doubt that surgical oncologist Dr. David H. Gorski (ORAC) is much better placed than I am to assess the ethical basis for conducting this preliminary study.   He questions the internal review board (IRB), apparently unknown to him at the time, in  a reasonably courteous, serious  manner.  What is not really clear from Gorski's comments is whether he would ever view any autism treatment study as justifying  supervision by an IRB or approval by the FDA.  In the comment linked above he did state with reference to pharmaceutical companies seeking drug approval:

"Similarly, any private entity (such as a pharmaceutical company) seeking FDA approval for its drug or device have to register with the FDA and abide by the Common Rule, whose most important set of rules mandate IRB approval and monitoring of the research. Some states also mandate that all human subjects research carried out within their borders, regardless of funding source, must abide by the Common Rule."

Since there is an IRB in place for this preliminary study, and since the FDA has given its approval for it to proceed, I assume Dr. Gorski (ORAC) will, if he has not already done so, acknowledge that this study is being conducted in accordance with recognized public health authority backing. As a mere layperson I assume that the US FDA has conducted the usual inquiries and that they are best placed, even better placed than surgical oncologist and autism expert Dr. Gorski, to determine the ethical appropriateness of the study. 

I assume that Dr. Gorski who feels FDA approval is a comforting requirement for  approval of new pharmaceutical company drugs or devices is also comforted by the FDA approval of the stem cell preliminary study. Surely he does not now consider the FDA to be governed by the quacks he so detests?

Regardless, if Gorski, the FDA or any other health professional or authority is simply going to ridicule and dismiss attempts to conduct any research into possible autism treatments and cures they will simply lose credibility with many autism parents when they try to convince them that they should stick with evidence based treatments for their autistic children.  That is not quackery. That is reality.

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Wheeling & Dealing & Avoiding FDA Scrutiny at the Vaccine Business Industry (Big Pharma) Congress

The vaccine industry business congress  referenced above states that it is scheduled for Baltimore in the fall of 2011 although the agenda indicates dates in March 2011.   More significantly the first items on the agenda show clearly the priorities of Big Pharma, as the conference brochure itself refers to the vaccine industry, which are maximizing government sponsored funding and avoiding FDA scrutiny.  Great stuff.

Yes, the Congress brochure does refer, several times, to Big Pharma, so don't go all Orac berserk on me for using that expression.

No word on whether  Offit, Orac, Mnookin or Deer were/will be in attendance.

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A ScienceBlogs Blogger Who Discusses Autism Rationally!

I am only a layperson, a humble parent, and small town lawyer, who makes no pretense to being a scientist. But I have a hard time reading blogs like Respectful Insolence by Orac (Dr. David Gorski) and believing that his blog is anything remotely resembling scientific discourse. His cheap and repetitive insults about Jenny McCarthy, David Kirby, the Geirs, Dr. Wakefield, biomed autism parents and professionals, etc do not resemble the science classes I attended in High School. "Woo", "quackery" and "lunacy" and other such terms that litter his every post do not seem to belong in a truly scientific lexicon, as this humble observer understands science.

Apart from Dr. Gorski and his ranting I have looked for other alleged science bloggers at ScienceBlogs who have commented rationally about autism. I haven't found too many that deal with autism at all, other than to deride the persons listed above, and anyone who questions the possible role played by vaccines in causing autism in some children. I have found one exception though at Greg Laden's Blog.

In Autism Study Examines Cause of Apparent Rise in Rate  Mr. Laden, who has a Ph.D. in anthropology, published a comment, on January 12, 2009, on the subject of the study by Irva Hertz-Picciotto and Lora Delwiche of the M.I.N.D. Institute, UC Davis, which examined the apparent (Dr. Laden's adjective)  rise in the frequency of diagnosed autism in California. That study noted that diagnostic definition changes, increased awareness and other social factors did not appear to explain the increases in autism noted in the study and suggested the need for more even funding of autism research to include possible environmental causes for autism.

Dr. Laden's remarks were fair, balanced and objective.  He noted the limitations of the study as well as some of the possible implications.  Dr. Laden addressed the fear that the study in question might have been overly influenced by anti-vax groups with an expanded 'environmental' focus but acknowledged that the study could, and should, stand or fall on its own merits in the long run. To this layperson Dr. Laden's approach smacked of .... well,  of science ... as I was led to believe it existed in my school science classes:

The fact that a careful look at reporting and diagnostic effects does not readily explain the level of magnitude of the change we see here suggests that more explanation is needed. 

In the absence of a correlation between these data and a list of causal effects (which could then lead to some effective hypothesis testing) it important to keep an open mind about what causes autism. I can think of no reason that this study's validity or lack thereof informs us in this regard. Those who wish to insist that no matter what there is no increase in autism rates are no less a failure at explaining autism as those who see a real increase in graphs like this one. 

Meanwhile, the authors of this study and others are looking into the data further to test for environmental links.

I don't know if Dr. Laden has since retreated from his reasonable response to  he UC Davis Mind study under pressure from alleged science bloggers  and Neurodiversity ideologues or not.  The  comment section following his commentary contains diatribes from the usual Neurodiversity ideologues  like Kev Leitch and Mike Stanton and of course "science" blogger Orac\Gorski who throws personal insults at Dr. Laden about his knowledge of the autism spectrum. (I am not sure what expertise, if any, Dr. Gorski  has concerning autism disorders, I understand he is a surgical oncologist at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute specializing in breast cancer surgery).

I was unable to find any commentary at Greg Laden's blog about the recent CDC figures on autism prevalence now estimating that 1 in 110 children are affected by an autism disorder.  The study results were released just prior to Christmas with the obviously forseeable consequence that people would be occupied with other matters and not paying attention to the announcement.  Perhaps he would rather just not wade again into the dirty waters inhabited by the Insolent Dr. David H. Gorski and Neurodiversity ideologues Kev Leitch and Mike Stanton. 

Perhaps Greg Laden will offer commentary on the new CDC autism figures in the New Year.  Whatever the situation I hope that actual science bloggers and commentators are not scared off by the likes of Gorski, Stanton and Leitch.  Autism disorders, particularly Autistic Disorder, are very serious disorders that impair the lives of many.  Autistic children and adults can use good scientific analysis and discussion  about autism research and not the trash talk which is offered by so many alleged "science" bloggers listed at ScienceBlogs.

autism

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IACC Autism Research Plan: Dr. Steven Novella Throws a Tantrum

Steven Novella MD, author of the NEUROLOGICA blog, doesn't like the recent IACC Statement on Autism Research and is throwing a tantrum. In IACC Statement on Autism Research Dr. Novella objects to the inclusion of research into possible links between vaccines and autism. Specifically he objects to language, approved unanimously by the IACC, that:

"calls for studies to determine if there are sub-populations that are more susceptible to environmental exposures such as immune challenges related to naturally occurring infections, vaccines or underlying immune problems."

In Dr. Novella's view this statement represents:

"the infiltration into the autism community of anti-vaccinationists – who have an agenda other than researching autism. In fact, the anti-vaccine movement has been unfortunately successful in branding themselves as autism activists and experts. This decision by the IACC represents the fruits of that infiltration – a distortion of funding for autism research to suit their anti-vaccine agenda. In fact, two members of the IACC – Lyn Redwood and Lee Grossman, were added specifically to represent the anti-vaccine movement in the (probably misguided) hope of placating that group."

It looks, at first reading, as though Dr. Novella has become, in the oft used words of his fellow "science" blogger Dr. David H. Gorski, aka Orac, a conspiracy theorist. Rather than do a full Orac on Dr. Novella though I think it is probably too early to tell just from his initial reaction. It is probably fairer to say, at this time, that Dr. Novella simply did not get what he wanted ... the exclusion of any reference to vaccines in the IACC strategic research plan, and his response is much like what any child who does not get his way might do ... he is lashing out ... he is throwing a tantrum.

Like many people who do not like the result or outcome of a process Dr. Novella is now furious and screams that the process itself was flawed from the outset. The inclusion of ... ugh... public representatives on the IACC is reprehensible to the good Doctor. After all Doctors should never have to listen to their patients right? No longer content to question the ability of public representatives to think about science Dr. Novella now feels that he has the expertise to determine who is, and who is not, a legitimate member of the "autism community".

Apparently it is no solace to Dr. Novella that Dr. Bernadine Healy, former head of the American Red Cross and the NIH, has articulated the premise that the existing vaccine autism studies were not specific enough and did not examine the possible impact of vaccines on vulnerable population subsets. Apparently it is no solace to Dr. Novella that Dr. Healy, as well as former CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding and neurologist Dr. Jon Poling have all stated that autism research should included further vaccine autism research.

Dr. Novella may be on the road to becoming what Dr. Gorski might call a conspiracy theorist but for now only one thing is certain ... the good Doctor does not like the result and he is screaming foul ... after the fact .

The Doctor is throwing a tantrum.

autism

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Respectful Insolence Is A "Science" Blog?

Respectful Insolence is reportedly a "science" blog. Orac the blog author is a medical doctor, a surgeon who uses the internet to do nothing more than trash and smear anyone who disagrees with his "scientific" views or whom he disapproves of for any reason. Most of his blog comments are unsupported by anything other than childish name calling. His 1o most recent blogs starting with November 6, 2009:

1. Desiree Jennings "cured" of her "vaccine-induced dystonia"? November 6, 2009

Despite the comment title Orac actually spends the first few paragraphs attacking Suzanne Somers before moving on to smear Desiree Jennings. When he does get around to attacking Ms Jennings, the beautiful cheerleader who developed dystonia after receiving a seasonal flu vaccine shot, he challenges her medical diagnosis, apparently without ever actually meeting her himself. The failure to actually meet the person whose diagnosis he ridicules does not stop the pompous Orac from insinuating that whatever is wrong with Ms Jennings it is all in her head. Of course the doctor who actually did see and treat Ms Jennings is called incompetent. In Orac world incompetent doctors actually see the patient they are diagnosing and treating. Competent doctors/surgeons simply read things on the internet and mock the individual from the certainty and clarity of their keyboard. I guess medical practices are different in the US of A than what we are used to here in Canada.

2. An Age of Autism commenter destroys yet another irony meter November 6, 2009

This one touches on "science" only in the sense that playground tough guy Orac brags about a writer at the Age of Autism " it's just J.B. spewing the same pseudoscientific nonsense that I've slapped down over and over." Oooooh. Lots of science there Orac.

3. The 123rd Congregation of the Skeptics' Circle... November 5, 2009

Orac coasted on this one, simply directing readers to another blog which, like Respectful Insolence, confuses schoolyard name calling for skepticism.

4. The anti-vaccine movement, cranks, and "pseudo-expertise" November 5, 2009

The title says it all here. Orac's science consists of calling anyone who asks questions about vaccine safety quacks and pseudo-experts. But there is more Orac style "science":

cranks, staring down the barrel, if you will, of a crank shotgun, one barrel being the anti-vaccine movement in general, ... unreason, conspiracy mongering, and pseudoscience ... the arrogance of ignorance ... endanger public health .. J.B. Handley's misogyny/

5. Has Desiree Jennings' VAERS report been found? November 5, 2009

This is the first Orac post in which he speculates about Desiree Jennings medical condition without having actually met with her. In this he offers the following speculation about this woman that he has never met, based on records the he thinks MIGHT be hers:

If it is, it's seeming more and more likely that Jennings probably doesn't have a "true" dystonia, but rather one with a significant psychogenic overlay.

There it is. The scientist/surgeon/blogger speculates that Ms Jennings condition is all in her head, without having met her and without even being sure that records he is relying on are hers or that they represent her complete medical file.

6. Holocaust Denial on Trial podcast November 4, 2009

In this comment Orac refers readers to some outside sources dealing with Holocaust Denial. The Holocaust is indisputable historical fact and the deniers of the Holocaust deserve to be called out for denying the atrocities of the Holocaust but it is not science and Orac acknowledges that.

7. Another celebrity anti-vaccine moron: Billy Corgan November 4, 2009

The name calling in the title is repeated and throughout the comment with some intellectual analysis Orac style thrown in for good measure: "Bullshit, Billy. Bullshit."

8. Blogging Suzanne Somers Knockout, part 1: How cancer testimonials mislead , November 3, 2009

In this one Orac spreads his usual litany of insults rambling away from the Somers book to attack anyone who dares question the safety of vaccines. The usual unsubstantiated ranting takes place:. quackery and medical pseudoscience, empty-brained celebrities, the bubble of woo-friendly southern California, celebrity woo promotion.

9. On why misogynists shouldn't mess with the Goddess... November 2, 2009

In this one Orac, who suggests that Desiree Jennings difficulties following vaccination were psychogenic without meeting her, and without being sure the documentation he examined was actually hers, takes JB Handley to task over his criticisms of Amy Wallace of Wired. He then goes on to indicate, without substantiation, that the entire anti-vaccination movement is misogynist.

10. Data weeps: Does Brent Spiner have anti-vaccine proclivities? October 29, 2009

I skipped a few because they were covered in the first posts on this page dealing with Desiree Jennings or self congratulatory bragging from Orac. In the Brent Spiner post he mocks Spiner and insults him with his usual insults: Malibu-inspired woo, ... Brent Spiner appeared on the surface to have drunk deeply of the anti-vaccine Kool Aid. But was it just on the surface, or is Spiner really an anti-vaccinationist? Let's see if we can figure it out. I waded into the Twitter exchange that followed--and was appalled.

Respectful insolence is not a science blog. It is, for the most part, simply a forum for attacking anyone who asks any questions about vaccines. Silly insults are a staple at RI, insults hurled by a medical doctor who questions the diagnosis of a woman he has never met, using records which he is not sure are hers. It is a vaccine cult blog where all vaccines are assumed to be safe and effective and where anyone who dares question a vaccine is mocked with childish schoolyard insults. But you will have to look long and hard to find any actual science. And there is nothing respectful about his insolence, nothing at all.

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Vaccine-Autism War: Jim Carrey Speaks and the Neurodiversity Hounds Howl

Jim Carrey, knowing full well the malicious attacks he would receive from the Neurodiversity "science" bloggers, (his partner Jenny McCarthy pushes the ND crowd into a full scale lather whenever she speaks) has expressed the very reasonable view that there are questions remaining to be answered about vaccines and their possible role in causing or triggering autism. The comment titled The Judgment on Vaccines Is In??? was published yesterday on the Huffington Post. In no time the Neurodiversity hounds were unleashed to smear and slime Mr. Carrey with irrelevant personal attacks and distorted summaries of the existing state of knowledge about vaccine and autism issues.

In less than 24 hours Kevin Leitch of lb/rb " fame" posted an attack piece on Opposing Views and his fellow Neurodiversity ideologue Orac posted his own hatchet job on his inappropriately named Respectful Insolence blog (there is nothing respectful about the manner in which Orac expresses his opinions about those who do not share his ND ideology). In fairness both ND bloggers do try to address some of the points made by Mr. Carrey but those points do not refute Mr. Carrey's assertion that the "judgment is not in" about vaccines and autism. The arguments they do make are lost in their sarcasm and anger. Mr. Leitch, under the apparent delusion that he is qualified to do so, even takes time to smear Dr. Bernadine Healy former NIH and American Red Cross head who has, like Mr. Carrey, pointed out the limits of the epidemiological studies relied on by Mr. Leitch and others as being conclusive and who has called for more research on possible vaccine autism connections.

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has, after some false starts, quite properly indicated in its strategic plan for autism research that environmental issues, including possible vaccine autism issues, should be researched. Even if the IACC included vaccine autism research to placate those who question vaccine safety in connection with autism it is a step in the right direction.

The anger of Mr. Leitch, "Orac" and others who have closed their minds should not dissuade the IACC or anyone else with a genuine interest from trying to understand the ever rising autism epidemic that affects our children. Their very unscientific mindsets should not prevent the necessary research from being done.

autism

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Neurodiversity Bloggers Still Buzzing Over Jenny

In Jenny McCarthy Knocks Over Neurodiversity Hornet's Nest I commented on the intense reaction by Neurodiversity bloggers to Jenny McCarthy's autism advocacy, advocacy prompted by her own child's autism and her efforts to treat or cure her child of that autism. Although I do not share her views about autism treatments I am amazed at the ferocious reaction her comments have generated amongst Neurodiversity bloggers. Autism Vox and Orac are two Neurodiversity bloggers who just can't seem to get her out of their minds with each posting yet again about this well known autism mother who has dared to speak publicly about autism without reading from the NeuroDiversity Manual.

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