Bill Gates says that vaccines don't cause autism

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Welllll. Strictly speaking vaccines have probably in deed killed thousands. They just saved far more people then they killed.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/03/gu ... ld.health/

Bill Gates is not a Biochemist or a Medical expert - but he is a very wealthy man - and thus his opinion is given more validity than it deserves.

The vaccine debate will probably never die. I was born with oxygen deprivation and delivered by emergency C-section. I believe that contributed to my autism. But there is also a noticeable autism gene in my family. I personally believe it takes something to trigger the autism gene "on." I believe my problem birth triggered my gene to turn "on."

If a vaccine went bad (by allergic reaction or whatever) then it is plausible in my opinion that the allergic reaction could turn an autism gene "on." But...I do not believe vaccines cause autism directly.

It is unfortunate that Bill Gates is not considered "attractive" or "popular" by conventional social standards.

If he were (as apparently Jenny McCarthy is) more people would likely listen to him.

Anyway, the reason we don't (didn't?) like Bill was his lifelong quest to own the world. He'd know as much about autism as any of us, wouldn't he?

I only say that because, on this issue, I agree with him.

I think this is as harmful as Jenny McArthy's opinion, really - A immunology layman making a public statement as if he was an authority on the subject. More so, since his foundation has had very close ties to pharma, he is a way easy target for conspiracy theorists.

I'll prefer focusing on what Scientists and Doctors have said ever since Wakefield released his study. They are actually informed people on the topic and their opinion is more than enough. We don't need Bill Gates' "help" here.

Or what about this? Bill gates is so wealthy. That he can create the diseases and the treatment for it. So let's say bill gates controlled the world. He would secretly create a disease that gets people sick, then he would come out openly years later and say, "Oh I have the vaccine for it". Why would anyone do this? Because that is how much money they have and they want to stay in Ultimate Power.

For people wondering, Bill Gates is commenting on this controversy because the Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation, I heard, helps give vaccinations to needy children. It is not because he is a doctor or anything. He knows that and hes not claiming that. Understand, this controversy touches very close to home for him. It is something he probably feels passionate about like I do.

The autism-vaccination link (which doesn't exist) is just disgusting. People in California, where I live, are developing things like whooping cough, swine flu, and chicken pox. Why? Because this downright lie makes people too afraid to vaccinate their children.

it's not that I don't trust them....BUT ok I don't trust them it's the very same agency that Assures us of vaccine safety has recalled a lot of things in recent years. Drugs. Beef, spinach, eggs, and various other things. Things that are "safe" but they are on a recall list. How exactly should I trust that that 5 vaccine cocktail is safe when I can't even trust that the eggs and beef in the store is not going to have bacteria? The FDA doesn't have a spotless reputation of keeping the public safe. Why yes we've tested it thoroughly it's safe but if that is the case why are there so many cases of Salmonella and other such things. Can I make the assumption that they are Fantastic and "all is well" when I can read about outbreaks of food poisoning? Umm these are the same people I don't think so but people don't go around saying "beef or eggs equal salmonella always" they know it's a bacteria in these products. Similarly there may be some unknown mechanism in those with a combined environmental or genetic factors that is of yet unknown.

I posted some of this on another forum, but I thought I'd re-post it here. This is in response to you, kate123A.

I believe it is important for people to look at BOTH sides of any debate with an open mind. I find that for many, especially parents of autistic children, the vaccination issue becomes such and emotional one that there is an inability to look at the facts objectively.

As a new mother, I can say that I can relate to the emotions involved - especially when it comes to wanting to keep your children safe. But we must remember that there are now parents out there mourning the loss of children to vaccine preventable illnesses (including infants who were too young to have been vaccinated) because of recent decreases in vaccination rates.

Saying that not vaccinating yourself or your children is a personal choice that does not impact others is simply false, and I think it is about time people accept this as a fact.

The statistics regarding autism rates increasing proves that the number of diagnosed cases of autism is increasing (I say diagnosed cases because diagnosis is, in and of itself, subjective). Why are autism rates increasing? We don't know yet. But scientists are certainly looking for reasons. To-date, vaccinations have not been shown to cause an increase in autism rates.

The statistics regarding the decline (and in some instances, elimiation) of diseases proves that vaccinations have been, and still are, effective. Recent outbreaks underline this, as it has shown what can happen when herd immunity is lost. This is a known scientific fact. Yes, there are potential risks associated with vaccination, but there are potential risks with any medication (have you ever read any of those inserts included with medication? any medication?). Also, there is a subset of the population who genuinely cannot tolerate vaccinations (due to underlying medical conditions, allergies, etc.), and herd immunity is what these people rely on to stay out of the path of vaccine-preventable diseases.

As for vaccinations overly stressing the immune system, I believe this argument is rubbish. When your immune system is busy fighting invaders you get a fever. How long, and how severe, are fevers associated with getting the flu? Measles? Diptheria? etc. Now, compare that to the severity and duration of fevers one might have after getting a vaccine.

One of the paradoxes of vaccines is that, the more effective they are, the less necessary they appear to be.

Vaccines have been so effective that many severe and debilitating illnesses are no longer a part of our cultural memory. If you doubt this, ask anyone who was born before the 1940's... aren't many of them left, are there? Or ask those who may have immigrated from less developed countries.

I for one hope we don't return to the days when families expected to loose one or more children to illness simply because the anti-vaccination movement gains enough traction with no conclusive studies to back it up.