RFK Jr.'s Sensationalistic Accusations: Letter to USA Today · 2005-07-11 10:37

The following letter was published in USA Today, Tuesday, July 11, 2005:

With his sensationalistic accusations of incompetence and deception, conspiracy and coverup, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. functions as yet another public relations rep for a subset of the “autism community” that seeks to hold pharmaceutical companies, doctors and public agencies liable for a disability that is an enduring aspect of the human condition with a well-documented genetic component (“Agencies lack credibility,” Opposing view, Vaccination safety debate).

Considering the rise in autism diagnoses these days – a phenomenon largely shaped by changing diagnostic criteria and heightened clinician awareness – establishing a popular perception and legal definition of autism as an actionable class injury might promise a windfall for plaintiffs’ lawyers. But this would do little to help advance scientific understanding of autism or to improve the quality of life for all that many autistic individuals or their families.

If parents can prove, on an individual basis, that their own children have suffered from vaccine reactions and can obtain fair compensation for real damage done, then more power to them. However, anti-thimerosal crusaders lose my sympathy when they attempt to convince the public that most autistic citizens are “poisoned” and in need of detoxification. Widespread promulgation of this insupportable notion can serve only to increase stigma against people with disabilities, including members of my own family.

Kathleen Seidel

Comments


  1. An excellent site, very comprehensive, almost overwhelming. — Muzalon    2005-07-18 18:34    #