Book

Mnookin, Seth.

The panic virus : a true story of medicine, science, and fear / Seth Mnookin.

1st Simon & Schuster hardcover ed.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2011.

xvi, 429 pages ; 25 cm

A searing account of how vaccine opponents have used the media to spread their message of panic, despite no scientific evidence to support them.

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.

Vaccination -- History.

Vaccination -- Psychological aspects.

Health behavior.

Mass media and culture.

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

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.

Sample text

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description

2010036579

9781439158647

1439158649

660509880

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