Science is basically the investigation of the natural world, to see and know how it works. It's a pursuit of truth. We determine things scientifically by questioning, experimenting, notating results, and drawing conclusions from those results. True science, though, is apolitical and objective--meaning it doesn't have a foregone conclusion when it begins testing. Unfortunately, more and more we see politics and agendas invading science, until it becomes unclear when a scientist says something whether he/she has spun the data according to what he/she wants it to say.
One unfortunate thing about media is that when something is said loud enough and long enough, people begin to believe it, regardless of whether it is true. Agendas in science tend to come out in the media so that certain things are presented as scientifically accurate, even if the data doesn't support it.
Just ask Dr. Paul Offit, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadephia, and co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine. He's written a book called Autism's False Prophets, in which he says that there is no scientific basis to the growing speculation that vaccinations cause autism.
Paul Offit's background in vaccinations is extensive. Moved by a passion to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, he's spent the past 30 years as a pediatrician and researcher. His work on the rotavirus vaccine earned him the Jonas Salk Medal from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, among other accolades.
So is Paul Offit's book agenda-free? Who knows? But if we are going to be true to the science behind this issue, we will suspend opinion and look for an honest assessment of the facts before drawing a conclusion.
One unfortunate thing about media is that when something is said loud enough and long enough, people begin to believe it, regardless of whether it is true. Agendas in science tend to come out in the media so that certain things are presented as scientifically accurate, even if the data doesn't support it.
Just ask Dr. Paul Offit, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadephia, and co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine. He's written a book called Autism's False Prophets, in which he says that there is no scientific basis to the growing speculation that vaccinations cause autism.
Paul Offit's background in vaccinations is extensive. Moved by a passion to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, he's spent the past 30 years as a pediatrician and researcher. His work on the rotavirus vaccine earned him the Jonas Salk Medal from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, among other accolades.
So is Paul Offit's book agenda-free? Who knows? But if we are going to be true to the science behind this issue, we will suspend opinion and look for an honest assessment of the facts before drawing a conclusion.
0 comments:
Post a Comment