Science has failed to convince many people that vaccines do not cause autism. Will last week's court ruling finally change their minds?
Health and medicine got a big headline last week: "Vaccines Didn't Cause Autism, Court Rules." The details have been extensively discussed, but here's the gist of the story: Three special federal judges working for the government's Vaccine Injury Compensation Program issued three separate decisions in what's become known as the Autism Omnibus Trial. The trial is a class-action lawsuit in which almost 5,500 families have sued the government, claiming routine childhood vaccines caused their children to develop autism. Last Thursday, each judge, known as a special master, reviewed the claim of one family, and in each case, ruled against it. Physicians praised the decisions, calling it great day for children and science. Anti-vaccination activists declared it unjust, wrong and unfair.
Among those expressing shock and disappointment...
