To be struck off...

[cj121]

Interesting to hear today that 'research' into the links between MMR and autism have been discredited with the possibility of the 'expert' in this field, being struck off by the GMC. Listened to this on R4 this morning, but here's a link if you're interested (albeit an antipodean article)

[daverave999]

Ooh this vexes me. Maverick scientist tries to make a name for himself with some outrageous dodgy research on only twelve children, then the Daily Mail get hold of it and create a national panic, disrupting a successful immunisation program causing untold suffering in the name of selling papers.

The media could really do with reporting science a little more responsibly.

[monkey66]

Don't get me started on the media.

Today's media have a very clear remit, to sell copy (regardless of format). Occasionally they report some news in there but nearly always with an opinion and very rarely subjectively. The media focus on headlines (as do most of their readership) and so often one reads down the article to discover there is no empirical evidence at all.

The only way to have a chance of a balanced view on anything is to read as many varied sources on a given subject and draw your opinion somewhere in the middle.

Public health research is one of the hardest to find out accurate information due to the massive pharmaceutical and food industry lobbies.

Just MHO.

[tippexx]

Public health research is one of the hardest to find out accurate information due to the massive pharmaceutical and food industry lobbies.

Just MHO.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, seems governments and the WHO don't have their act together either. How many billions wasted on Tamiflu production? And the pharmaceutical company which copped all the dosh, wasn't headed by Donald Rumsfeld was it?

[cj121]

Ooh this vexes me. Maverick scientist tries to make a name for himself with some outrageous dodgy research on only twelve children, then the Daily Mail get hold of it and create a national panic, disrupting a successful immunisation program causing untold suffering in the name of selling papers.

The media could really do with reporting science a little more responsibly.

Lets not let the truth get in the way of a good story ay

Yes Dave, I've met many folk who have flatly refused to engage with the program due to the scaremongering.

[cj121]

Public health research is one of the hardest to find out accurate information due to the massive pharmaceutical and food industry lobbies.Just MHO.

I agree Monkey, there is shroud of secrecy around the various researching that goes into this kind of stuff. My sister was involved in clinical trials for a serious condition a year or so back, and I was privvy to some of the material up for consideration by a 'body', as she sought confidential advice in terms of replying to such. Interesting reading, espcecially around the decision making processes involved at that level. Efficacy and quality of life versus cost being the thrust as one would expect sadly.

[moidoid]

The Doctor has been held to account but who in the press will stand up and say they were wrong? This scare has had a direct effect on the incidence of these illnesses and some of the media just made up stories about it. How about an apology from them.

[monkey66]

I was involved with an incident once that made front page news. I can tell you, for a fact, that the principle source for the paper to run the story was a 12 year old boy who had heard the information from someone else! The apology was printed on page 14

The reality is that being sued is just a running cost of a newspaper and of set against value of headlines (and likelihood of being sued).

Lets not forget the media are a pretty powerful lobby in themselves.

I know a very successful businessman who wanted to get ahead in his industry from a medium player to the market leader. He purchased the two leading trade publications in the field and now effectively controls the whole industry in the UK.

[Boss Hog]

I was involved with an incident once that made front page news.

Were you working at Lee Dub's building company at the time by any chance?

[Morris]

Newspapers - Too much power, in part due to the stupidity of those who take what is written in print on paper to be gospel truth.

I agree that personal research is the best way to formulate a decision.


The MMR thing did my nut in though. Just a wild rumour.

[Lee Nub]

Were you working at Lee Dub's building company at the time by any chance?

LMAO