The Harm

Thanks to the The Bad Astronomer at The Bas Astronamy Blog I bring you this.

McCain said, per ABC News’ Bret Hovell, that “It’s indisputable that (autism) is on the rise amongst children, the question is what’s causing it. And we go back and forth and there’s strong evidence that indicates that it’s got to do with a preservative in vaccines.”

No, we do know what the cause of the rise is, its caused by changes in diagnostic criteria and grater awareness of autism.[1][2] [article it self]

McCain said there’s “divided scientific opinion” on the matter, with “many on the other side that are credible scientists that are saying that’s not the cause of it.”

No, no reputable scientists says vaccinations cause autism, studies have shown no connection between the two. [3][4][5][article it self]

Whats the harm here? McCain’s statements could cause parents (out of fear of autism) not to get there children vaccinated and thus get preventable diseases that could even lead to death.
While I disagree with The Bad Astronomer on him being anti-science (I thing he’s just misinformed) his statements are non the less dangerous.

1. http://whyfiles.org/209autism/
2. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149666,00.html
3. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=344288
4. http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/01/california-stud.html
5. http://autism.about.com/b/2008/02/04/new-british-study-shows-no-relationship-between-mmr-vaccine-and-autism-whats-your-take.htm