The panic virus : a true story of medicine, science, and fear Cover Image

Book

The panic virus : a true story of medicine, science, and fear

Summary: In this searching exposé, the recent hysteria over childhood vaccinations and their alleged link to autism becomes a cautionary tale of bad science amplified by media sensationalism.

Record details

ISBN: 1439158649
ISBN: 9781439158647 (hc)
Physical Description: xvi, 429 p. ; 25 cm.
print
Edition: 1st Simon & Schuster hardcover ed.
Publisher: New York : Simon & Schuster, 2011.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (p. 373-410) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

The spotted pimple of death -- Milkmaid envy and a fear of modernity -- The polio vaccine : from medical miracle to public health catastrophe -- Fluoride scares and swine flu scandals -- "Vaccine roulette" -- Autism's evolving identities -- Help! there are fibers growing out of my eyeballs! -- Enter Andrew Wakefield -- The Lancet paper -- Thimerosal and the mystery of Minamata's dancing cats -- The mercury moms -- The Simpsonwood Conference and the speed of light : a brief history of science -- The media and its messages -- Mark Geier, witness for hire -- The case of Michelle Cedillo -- Cognitive biases and availability cascades -- How to turn a lack of evidence into evidence of harm -- A conspiracy of dunces -- Autism speaks -- Katie Wright's accidental manifesto -- Jenny McCarthy's mommy instinct -- Medical NIMBYism and faith-based metaphysics -- Baby Brie -- Casualties of a war built on lies.