Separating Fact from Science Fiction

Over the past few years, an increasing amount of false information has spread surrounding subjects that could be spun for a political or economic gain. This is not a new concept, but with the popularity of social media, it has become much easier to spread false information. In the sciences, there is a special word specifically for false science called “pseudoscience.” It is usually not difficult for scientists to identify false science, but when spreading information, it important for journalists to be able to distinguish factual science from pseudoscience. Additionally, pseudoscience can be used to influence political or economic ideals, and it is important for journalists to be able to separate fact from fiction in order to stay unbiased.

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Specifically, one of the largest debates littered with pseudoscience is whether or not it is safe to vaccinate young children. In the United States, all children who are entering public school must be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles and rubella, unless they have a religious exemption. The reason for this is to reduce the spread of diseases that could be deadly to young children. Many people have issues with vaccinating children at such a young age, including the idea that vaccines contain harmful toxins, and that they can actually infect the child with the disease instead of preventing it. However, there is little evidence that suggests it is dangerous. One myth circulating about vaccinations is that is it harmful to the infant’s immune system. Many people believe that babies are too young to be receiving chemicals in their bodies, yet, according to PublicHealth.org “based on the number of antibodies present in the blood, a baby would theoretically have the ability to respond to around 10,000 vaccines at one time.” Infants are only given vaccines that will protect them against diseases that could potentially harm them, and they are given in safe doses that research has shown will not harm them.

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However, in 1997, a British surgeon named Andrew Wakefield published a paper in a very prestigious medical journal, that linked the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine to Autism. Following this publication, people credited their objection to vaccination to this research. The paper was quickly discredited due to the fact that Wakefield was falsifying his evidence and committing extreme ethical violations, and he was stripped of his medical license. For years following, scientists have been working on extensive research to prove or disprove the 📷link between the vaccines and autism. They have not been able to find any links whatsoever between the two, yet it is still held as one of the most prominent arguments in the discussion. It was later found that Wakefield was in the process of applying for a patent for a replacement for the measles vaccine. In addition to personal gain, this argument has been used to further political agendas. Many politicians advocate for not vaccinating children, and it only adds fuel to the fire of the movement. It is argued that parents should have the right to choose for themselves if they want to vaccinate their child or not, but that puts other children who may be too young or unhealthy to receive a vaccination, at risk of exposure. Immunizations don’t only protect those who are vaccinated, but also those who can not be, whether it be for a medical or religious reasoning. Overall, the debate over whether or not vaccines are safe is littered with pseudoscience that has become so mainstream that it is accepted in a lot of places as factual science. This is harmful, not only to children who are more at risk of disease without immunizations that with them, but also to the general public. That is why it is so important to separate the fact from fiction and always look at unbiased sources when doing research. One should always question science, but there are so many types out manipulative media in the news today, and someone always has something to gain from the pseudoscience.

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