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Autism Speaks changes vaccine position again

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PlainsAspie
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08 Feb 2015, 5:19 pm

Autism Speaks has reclarified their vaccine position, eliminating the lukewarm language and making it unambiguously pro-vaccine. They were not overtly anti-vaccine before this week, but their message appeared to be designed to please both sides.

Here's their new stance:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/pol ... and-autism


The change happened on Feb 4.
The timing is quite suspicious as it aligns with measles outbreaks being all over the news. I suspect it has more to do with good PR and fundraising than a newly-found belief in sound science. So, a very limited kudos for finally acknowledging that vaccines do not cause autism.

There's still plenty of other problems with A$, such as excluding autistics from discussions, silencing autistics, hateful rhetoric, support for JRC, among others.



AspieUtah
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08 Feb 2015, 5:32 pm

So, Autism Speaks is off the hook simply because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?

No, thanks. I do the opposite of those who would restrict my natural rights (like speaking for myself). If they approve of something, I question their approval and refuse until I am satisfied of their approval (which is doubtful).

So, they like vaccines now? That alone makes me even more strident in my opposition of them.


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PlainsAspie
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08 Feb 2015, 5:58 pm

AspieUtah wrote:
So, Autism Speaks is off the hook simply because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?

No, thanks. I do the opposite of those who would restrict my natural rights (like speaking for myself). If they approve of something, I question their approval and refuse until I am satisfied of their approval (which is doubtful).

So, they like vaccines now? That alone makes me even more strident in my opposition of them.


Off the hook? That's pretty close to the opposite of what I'm saying. I say that they're only doing it because it's expedient, and I still have problems with them.



AspieUtah
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08 Feb 2015, 6:09 pm

PlainsAspie wrote:
AspieUtah wrote:
So, Autism Speaks is off the hook simply because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?

No, thanks. I do the opposite of those who would restrict my natural rights (like speaking for myself). If they approve of something, I question their approval and refuse until I am satisfied of their approval (which is doubtful).

So, they like vaccines now? That alone makes me even more strident in my opposition of them.


Off the hook? That's pretty close to the opposite of what I'm saying. I say that they're only doing it because it's expedient, and I still have problems with them.

Ah, then we agree. Ditto!


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Protogenoi
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10 Feb 2015, 8:47 pm

Autism Speaks was created with a few goals in minds...

1. Make money.

2. Do away with Autism

3. Influence people towards their vision


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11 Feb 2015, 4:38 pm

I wonder to what extent there has been studies about the issue of whether or not large amounts of vaccines can have the effect of making autistic symptoms worse among those who have the genetic makeup that contributes to it. I mean, I had thought there has been progress in isolating those who are born with a genetic makeup that causes autism and so I was wondering about studies that show the effects of the modern vaccine dosage, which is significantly higher than it was even in the 80s, on the symptoms of autism specifically for the subset that is born with it. I mean, we know that vaccines of course do not by themselves turn complete NTs into autistics but I was wondering the extent to which the neuro atypical subset has been isolated.



PlainsAspie
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11 Feb 2015, 9:04 pm

Here's a Disability Scoop article on the flip flop http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/ ... nes/20040/



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11 Feb 2015, 9:12 pm

PlainsAspie wrote:
AspieUtah wrote:
So, Autism Speaks is off the hook simply because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"? No, thanks. I do the opposite of those who would restrict my natural rights (like speaking for myself). If they approve of something, I question their approval and refuse until I am satisfied of their approval (which is doubtful). So, they like vaccines now? That alone makes me even more strident in my opposition of them.
Off the hook? That's pretty close to the opposite of what I'm saying. I say that they're only doing it because it's expedient, and I still have problems with them.
"Expedient"?

As in, "It is expedient for us to make a public announcement of our change in policy, as doing so attracts more donors, which translates directly into more money ... for us!"

Follow the money, kids; just follow the money.

8)



PlainsAspie
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12 Feb 2015, 9:26 pm

Fnord wrote:
PlainsAspie wrote:
AspieUtah wrote:
So, Autism Speaks is off the hook simply because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"? No, thanks. I do the opposite of those who would restrict my natural rights (like speaking for myself). If they approve of something, I question their approval and refuse until I am satisfied of their approval (which is doubtful). So, they like vaccines now? That alone makes me even more strident in my opposition of them.
Off the hook? That's pretty close to the opposite of what I'm saying. I say that they're only doing it because it's expedient, and I still have problems with them.
"Expedient"?

As in, "It is expedient for us to make a public announcement of our change in policy, as doing so attracts more donors, which translates directly into more money ... for us!"

Follow the money, kids; just follow the money.

8)


Exactly. In my view, they're doing the right thing for the wrong reason. They will lose some donors over this, but they calculated that they'd lose more by maintaining their previous position.



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15 Feb 2015, 3:06 pm

I bet they'll turn around when the measles (or other preventable disease) epidemic quiets down.


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PlainsAspie
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15 Feb 2015, 7:18 pm

Skullbug wrote:
I bet they'll turn around when the measles (or other preventable disease) epidemic quiets down.


I wouldn't put that past them.



chessplayer
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16 Feb 2015, 10:12 am

It's sad because Autism Speaks is supposed to be an organization that helps those who are on the Autism Spectrum, but the more you read about them, the more clear it becomes that the people who work there only care about themselves and their own agenda.

Vaccinations are not the answer. They cause harm rather than good. Some of the diagnoses for Autism were caused by vaccinations...



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16 Feb 2015, 10:14 am

chessplayer wrote:
... Vaccinations are not the answer. They cause harm rather than good. Some of the diagnoses for Autism were caused by vaccinations...
Evidence, Please?



Protogenoi
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17 Feb 2015, 2:00 pm

Fnord wrote:
chessplayer wrote:
... Vaccinations are not the answer. They cause harm rather than good. Some of the diagnoses for Autism were caused by vaccinations...
Evidence, Please?


There is no evidence...

Except for easily debunked anecdotes.


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MelissaCho
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26 Feb 2015, 8:59 pm

PlainsAspie wrote:
Skullbug wrote:
I bet they'll turn around when the measles (or other preventable disease) epidemic quiets down.


I wouldn't put that past them.


That's what frauds do.