Expert Advice on Autism from Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey
As an avid reader of CNN.com I was a little shocked to see an op-ed penned by Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey regarding autism. First of all, in my limited memory, I can’t remember CNN.com ever doing a “guest” op-ed. And secondly, why do I care what Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey have to say about autism?
I thought that abuse of celebrity only applied to political and environmental issues but apparently now it has extended into science and health policy. It would at least be understandable if either of them had ever played a doctor on television (anyone remember the 70s ads “I’m not a doctor but I play one on television”?) but these two are best known for posing in Playboy magazine and playing a pet detective who pretends to talk with his butt cheeks (respectively). I don’t think I’d take acting lessons from this couple let alone seek medical advice.
Yet they felt it their duty to share with us that vaccines are responsible for autism even though at this point there’s virtually zero scientific evidence to support their claim. There is a recent court ruling, however, that has given ammunition to the bandwagon of parents who think that vaccines caused their kid’s problems. The only difference is that most of these parents aren’t celebrities in the position to abuse their…um… position.
And to the editors of CNN.com…what exactly were you thinking?
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
It’s not accurate to say there’s “virtually zero” scientific evidence for vaccines causing autism. In fact, we’d have to go deep into negative numbers to express what the data show.
Not only is there no evidence of a causal link, but researchers who’ve looked hard for one, and amassed mounds of public health data, have found absolutely no statistically significant correlation between vaccines and autism. Finding a correlation is mandatory before we even begin speculating about causes, but the anti-vaccine parents aren’t thinking logically.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I was a television news anchor, reporter and producer for many years (during the 80’s ad 90’s) and the question of vaccinations and health issues came to me from a newly formed organization called “The Association for Vaccine Damaged Children”. I interviewed numerous mothers who had horror stories to tell, and also interviewed Barbara Loe Fisher who wrote the book “A Shot in the Dark”. So this is not a new revelation. The problemj has been growing for more than 20 years, but until a celebrity faces a personal experience, the media doesn’t sit up and take notice.
When I see Jenny MacCarthy speaking the same truths, I applaud her tenacity for fighting mainstream media who, in my own personal experience, are so pro “medical establishment” it is sickening. I was chastised by a pediatrician for even allowing Barbara Loe Fisher to be interviewed, and give her own personal story. I then found out from the Association for Vaccine Damaged Children that THE DOCTOR WHO SO VEHEMENTLY OBJECTED TO HER APPEARANCE was the pediatritian for the mother whose son had DIED after receiving his second vaccination!! This organization has done extensive research, but receives very little recognition, and yet the connection of vaccination induced trauma, seizures and death was unmistakeable. However, the medical establishment REFUSED to accept the medical facts. It was mind-blowing!!!
However, a spokesperson like Jenny MacCarthy is first and foremost a mom, and she has every right to speak about her own story and spread the word. I am so impressed with her and hope than millions of mothers and family members will support her Washington walk in June.
I also applaud CNN for NOT suppressing this information, and giving an opportunity for MORE discussion. KEEP IT UP!!!
April 6th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Autism typically appears in a child at a later age. And it’s been proven that children that have been given vaccines of certain kinds become autistic at a very young age. Making people aware of a possible danger is not a bad thing; it is every person’s right.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I am very upset about the obsession with “the facts” here. CNN should be applauded for taking an interest in such an bationwide epidemic. I am a mother with a two year old who was dignosed with autism spectrum disorder. Because of Jenny McCarthy and her big mouth, I took notice of my son’s developmental delays & got him evaluated at 18 months. That is MUCH earlier than most children get diagnosed. Because of a Playboy Bunny, I was able to get my son put into Early Intervention & he now makes eye contact, can feed himself, can interact with people and has a vocablary of 85 words, among many other accomplishments. In a matter of six months, my son has gone from being unable to say “Mama” to actually saying “I love you” without provocation. If you knew anything about sutism, you would know it can happen to ANYBODY. Autism cannot pick and choose which celebrity would be a more credible or moral spokesperson in YOUR opinion. So, why don’t you concentrate on the fact that because of people like Jenny McCarthy & Jim Carrey… autism finally has a voice and people are taking notice. Instead, of worrying about some boring scientist with a long list of credentials getting the credit. I believe CNN found Jenny a credible source because unlike a scientist, there is no better source of research than a mother of an autistic child.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Get your facts straight!! There was never a court ruling. The Federal Government conceded that Hannah’s autism was caused by vaccines. The Federal Government did this. There is your proof!!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I cant beleive you would post write anything to do with jenny being in Playboy..
When you have a child with Autism you become an expert because you live,eat and breath autism..YOu research and search and read and drown yourself with information from experts in the medical field.
Your whole entire statement is idiotic to say the least.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Keep in mind that she is not denouncing vaccines. She simply wishes to space them out. Her concern is that the trace amounts in vaccines can add up enough to do some damage. I have full respect for the methods used to come up with these vaccines. But perhaps the tolerance for certain ingredients should be revisited. That is not my area of expertise. I would like to know more about why each ingredient is there.
I don’t believe that she is blaming vaccines as the sole cause of the autism increase, although it probably looked like that at one point.
She brought up a very interesting point about the relationship between autism spectrum and gluten-free. While this might not be a panacea, it is something that should be more available, in case it really does help some children. Right now, there are very few restaurants and stores that cater to gluten-free. It would be very beneficial for everyone if that were to change. I welcome your comments.