The ABC television network will be broadcasting a fictional episode "Eli Stone," about the links of childhood vaccines to autism Thursday night.
The American Academy of Pediatrics wanted ABC to cancel the opening episode, because many viewers look at these things as truth. Dr. Renee R. Jenkins, the president of the pediatrics academy, warned ABC that the episode "could lead to a tragic decline in immunization rates."
The first episode is about a lawyer who wins a case of a mother who believes that a drug company put preservatives in a vaccine that caused her child to be autistic.
Most public health organizations studied and rejected the possible links between preservatives in vaccines and autism. However, they are concerned what people see as truth or fiction in these type of stories.
ABC said that they will present a written notice that the story is fictional and have a website available for anyone who is concerned.
I believe that public health organizations should'nt be to worried. ABC stated that they will present the story fictional as well as a website for any concerns. However, if people believe every story that is put out there for entertainment, then they are living in an unrealistic life.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/business/media/29abc.html?ref=media
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6 comments:
I think that putting a disclaimer and offering a website are, indeed, a necessary thing. I commend ABC for stepping up to the plate and offering both for concerned viewers. I do understand the fear of the medical society and sympathize with their concern; however, freedom of speech reigns high. Much to my chagrin, I have been lumped with the category of those who take a medical drama for truth. I know, shame on me. I consider myself somewhat of an intelligent person, but it was more convenient to believe them than was it to research the truth. Now that I am gaining wisdom in my old age, I know that you can't believe everything you see and hear.
Yes I do believe that ABC is in the right. I actually just heard about this on the radio today. But the shows are fictional and medical science is always changing so no one really knows what is accurate or not. For what is medically right today may or may not be in 10, 20, or 50 years. In the mean time ABC has the right to broadcast whatever they want.
The choice belongs to ABC and not to the American Academy of Pediatrics because a disclaimer should be enough. Its a fictional episode, so, I don't really see what the issue is here. If people are gullible enough to believe what they see on a tv episode we as a nation have bigger problems then vaccines. Plus, ABC has the first amendment to stand behind.
I really don't see the big deal. So much of television is ridiculous and if people believe that then they should read a book and learn something. If ABC puts out a disclamer than thats all thats needs to be done. It does go to show that you have to be so careful of what is printed or broadcasted in this world.
I think that it is not a big deal and people should know not to believe what is on t.v. Evrything these days is so fake and copied and edited to make it exactly how they want it. i would not be bothered it they put a disclaimer on it is probably better for the children.
I don't believe this show will cause a drop in vaccines, especially if ABC displays a message that this show is fictional. There are many shows on TV today that deal with medical issues, fictional or not, and I haven't heard any complains about them before, so why start now? If this show really does make people stop getting their children vaccines, then that is their own stupidity, for not listening to the disclaimer, and thinking that just because it is on tv it's real.
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