EBD Blog

At Translating Autism N. L. Lopez-Duran posted a note explaining why he retracted a statement about evidence failing to support a link between vaccination and Autism. In the note, Professor Lopez-Duran explained that he didn’t want to taint his blog with hints of advocacy, hoping to preserve it as a source of information that parents, educators, and clinicians would find useful.

Specifically, I stated that what I believe doesn’t really matter, because “beliefs” rapidly turn into blind faith, even amongst scientists. Instead, good science only occurs when positions are flexible and reflective only of the status of the research (data) at any given time. Second, the addition of that particular disclaimer went beyond a discussion of the results and possible interpretation of the data presented in that particular study. This departed significantly from the spirit of the Translating Research Project…. I’m committed to preserving the spirit and purpose of this blog: To review the latest findings in the nature, causes, and treatments of autism spectrum disorders and translate these findings into information that is useful to parents, educators, and clinicians; and I seek to do this while distancing myself, and all blogs belonging to the Translating Research Project, from any advocacy position.

Professor Lopez-Duran’s note made a powerful point about how beliefs can devolve into blind advocacy, and I thought that worth applauding. I admire Professor Lopez-Duran’s interest in maintaining neutrality, but I also have to wonder whether it is possible to do so. I have to wonder whether it is even consistent with a goal of providing useful information.

To be sure, people too often let belief trump reason. However, it seems to me that failing to make clear statements about the tenability of erroneous ideas is, in itself, a failure to serve as a provider of useful information. In the the absence of clear evidence that Treatment X is beneficial and presence of substantial evidence that Treatment X is actually harmful, I consider it important to advocate that parents, educators, and clinicians not use Treatment X. Indeed, as an advocate for kids and their families, isn’t it my duty to call “Bologna” when I’m confronted with unsubstantiated and disconfirmed hypotheses?

Asked if I believe that vaccinations (or something associated with them) cause Autism, I will answer that I do not consider it to be a matter of belief. The question and others like it should be a matter of reasoned science, with my beliefs about gods, good tasting food, and other personal preferences being irrelevant to the question.

Please be sure to read Professor Lopez-Duran’s complete entry at Translating Autism: An Autism Research Blog. Flash of the electrons to Brett Miller of 29 Marbles, whose entry under the headline “Blind Faith” started me along the path to this entry. Link to Mr. Miller’s Blind Faith, from which I took this title. Mr. Miller apparently picked up the thread from Harold Doherty’s entry entitled Nestor Lopez-Duran Ph.D on Autism, Science and Faith-Based Advocacy on Facing Autism in New Brunswick, an excellent source to which I’ve referred here previously. (By the way: A belated hoppy birdthay to Conor, who turned 12 on 19 Feb.)