Tortoise Investigates
The fall | Dr Anti-vax Ep 1
Oct 24, 2023
A British doctor sparks a global health panic about vaccines, igniting the modern anti-vax movement. The impact of Andrew Wakefield's controversial paper on vaccines and autism is examined, along with the decline in childhood vaccinations. The aftermath of the Sadeo case on the anti-vax movement is explored. Robert De Niro's wealth and support for the podcast is discussed.
28:45
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Quick takeaways
- Dr. Andrew Wakefield's controversial study linking the MMR vaccine to autism sparked fear and doubt among parents, contributing to the rise of the anti-vax movement.
- The Sadeo case, despite being refuted by evidence, fueled the beliefs of the anti-vax movement, highlighting the enduring impact of misinformation.
Deep dives
The Rise of the Anti-Vax Movement
The podcast episode explores how the anti-vaccine movement has gained traction and the impact it has had on public health. It begins by discussing the history of vaccines and their remarkable success in eradicating diseases. However, in recent decades, there has been a decline in vaccination rates, leading to the re-emergence of preventable diseases like measles. The episode attributes this decline to the work of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, an obscure gastroenterologist who published a controversial paper suggesting a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Despite subsequent studies discrediting Wakefield's findings, his influence on parents and the spread of misinformation about vaccines is still felt today.
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