Autism, Science and Politics

Posted on April 29, 2008  Comments (1)

Clinton and Obama parrot the “vaccine and autism connection inconclusive” line by Tara C. Smith:

Ugh. At least they don’t say there’s “strong evidence” to support it like McCain. I can certainly get behind more research on environmental factors in autism development (and of course, additional funding for biomedical research, period), but we’ve been there/done that for vaccines. I wonder if either of them are even aware of The National Children’s Health Study?

The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the study is to improve the health and well-being of children.

Variables examined will include vaccinations received, and development of autism will be one of the outcomes examined. What more can you ask for? Obama and Clinton’s claims of ignorance on the part of the scientific community when it comes to vaccines and autism show that we don’t have any real science defenders in the running.

Related: Scientists and Engineers in CongressScience and Engineering in PoliticsThe A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science

One Response to “Autism, Science and Politics”

  1. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Autism and the MMR vaccine
    August 20th, 2008 @ 6:48 pm

    Back into the hornets nest is a thoughtful follow-up post on the decision of a scientist to vaccinate his child…

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