Product Description
A London researcher was the first to assert that the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine known as MMR caused autism in children. Following this "discovery," a handful of parents declared that a mercury-containing preservative in several vaccines was responsible for the disease. If mercury caused autism, they reasoned, eliminating it from a child's system should treat the disorder. Consequently, a number of untested alternative therapies arose, and, most tragically, in one such treatment, a doctor injected a five-year-old autistic boy with a chemical in an effort to cleanse him of mercury, which stopped his heart instead. Children with autism have been placed on stringent diets, subjected to high-temperature saunas, bathed in magnetic clay, asked to swallow digestive enzymes and activated charcoal, and injected with various combinations of vitamins, minerals, and acids. Instead of helping, these therapies can hurt those who are most vulnerable, and particularly in the case of autism, they undermine childhood vaccination programs that have saved millions of lives. An overwhelming body of scientific evidence clearly shows that childhood vaccines are safe and does not cause autism. Yet widespread fear of vaccines on the part of parents persists. In this book, Paul A. Offit, a national expert on vaccines, challenges the modern-day false prophets who have so egregiously misled the public and exposes the opportunism of the lawyers, journalists, celebrities, and politicians who support them. Offit recounts the history of autism research and the exploitation of this tragic condition by advocates and zealots. He considers the manipulation of science in the popular media and the courtroom, and he explores why society is susceptible to the bad science and risky therapies put forward by many antivaccination activists.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 96 reviews)

The definitive book on the nonexisting link b/w autism and vaccines by Emiliano A. Tatar (Philadelphia, pa)

5 Stars
October 29, 2009
This is it! A full, well written and page turning summary of the history of the flawed notion that vaccines cause autism. Not only is this book a great reference for autism questions, it is also a testament to the power of real science to answer important questions. Offit may have done more for autism research with his writings than anyone else, by keeping the focus on the probable causes: genetics and in-utero processes.

Lifting the fog by Roland Machold (Princeton, New Jersey USA)

5 Stars
October 14, 2009
This book is controversial, because there are many adherents to the very practices that Dr. Offit critiques, yet it is very important to have a factual and rational exposition of some of the treatments that have been proposed for autism. My wife and I are the parents of a 45 year old autistic adult, and our families founded the Princeton Child Development Institute in Princeton, N.J. Over the years we have been open to any treatment that might help our son, and we have tried many, without prejudice. We have tried holding therapy, special diets and vitamin treatments, auditory training and special exercise programs. We recognize that some of these programs may benefit individual children, but none have helped us. Sadly, we have also been victimized by false claims, such as Bruno Bettelheim's assertion that the parents were the cause of a child's withdrawal. The slow pace of science has disproved this, but for several decades Bettelheim's assertions held sway. There is still a great deal that is unknown about autism, which gives opportunists the chance to assert any unproven theory they wish. For our part, we have learned to accept only proven and properly documented scientific reports. Dr. Offit's book discusses the state of science of many of the alternative therapies that are being preached nowadays, and he finds them wanting on a scientific basis. It is very important for those who are questing for answers to the problems of autism to be fully aware of the validity of claimed therapies, and the many conflicts they have engendered. Naturally, Dr. Offit's motives will be questioned, but we are satisfied that he his interests are independent, based on his professional qualifications and his apparent independence from conflicts of interest.

The rational, scientific view of autism treatments by Dr. Alison M. Harman

5 Stars
October 11, 2009
This book is a comprehensive review of major, recent attempts to 'cure' autism. It explains with sensitivity the reason why desperate parents are willing to follow many false leads in searching for a cure for their autistic children. It illustrates, in depth, many of the stories of quackery that have dominated the autism world and have lead parents to spend large sums of money in vain, giving them false hope and in some cases, causing harm to their children. The book is written very well in a narrative style that could be followed well by any educated person. It is not full of jargon and scientific terms. It is a good yarn, pretty astonishing at times and is a must read for anyone with autistic children or who work with them.

An extraordinary book by AA

5 Stars
October 07, 2009
This book brilliantly mixes extremely well-grounded, well-conducted science with deftly crafted journalism. The result is a book that is a wonderful read (I had a hard time putting it down), a compelling story, and a sure-footed exploration of one of the latest pseudo-scientific crazes. Offit tells the complete story so compellingly and so thoroughly, it's hard to imagine a better argued case. If I have one criticism, it's that he could have spent a little more time explaining epidemiological studies -- what they are, how they work, and when they're more appropriate than biological models. He refers to them a lot, even chastises another scientist for not explaining them to his audience, and then he falls into the same trap. An understanding of them is so essential to appreciating his argument, I'd hate to see it lost on lay readers who are unfamiliar with them. If you have any questions about the safety of vaccinations, this is your one-stop book for debunking the claims that have run wild as of late. The book is up to date right up until shortly before its publication. It does mention one incredibly important court case where the verdict was still TBA. Since the book's publication, the court found in favor of the side that Offit is trumpeting. The book also includes some excellent information on the history of other failings in the relatively short history of treating autism sans institutionalization, including a short, but well-written, section on Facilitated Communication.

The best available science, yet easy to read by Alison Young

5 Stars
October 01, 2009
This is an excellently written, excellently researched book about the science behind autism and the supposed debate between those who believe something toxic damaged their children, and those who understand that it is an innate difference in being, not damaged at all. I say "supposed debate" because the scientific consensus is with the latter, as is the majority opinion of those with autism and their families--but a small, persistent group continues to press the issue. Offit manages to explain their motivations, their saviours, and their reasoning calmly and politely while still exposing the many issues inherent. No wonder the negative reviewers would have you not purchase this helpful book (the procedes for which go towards autism research in useful venues).

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