Anti-Vaccination Movement Threatens to Turn Texas Into a Developing Country

In fact, I cannot find a scientific argument that holds water in any medical or scientific journal, blog, or outlet.  Even the National Vaccine Information Center is short on science and long on opinion.  There is a lot of advocacy and information, but not much research to support the movement.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a review of studies clearly refuting any link between vaccines and autism.  The Center for Disease Control is clear:  There is no link between vaccines and autism, and vaccine ingredients do not cause autism.  One of the most thorough sources for the research on the lack of relationship between vaccines and autism, and other vaccine fears, is Peter Hotez’s ‘The “Why Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism” Papers’ blog.   He has gone further, pointing out the lack of plausibility of any link between childhood vaccines and autism.  He cites studies indicating that autism is associated with changes in the neocortex of the brain in early pregnancy, well before a child receives vaccines. 

Today, there are far too many people of faith in Texas standing their ground against health care for the poor, quoting scripture selectively to do so, and inciting fear in their fight against vaccinations.  They seem to accept health and science data when it suits them and then turn around to say that the Bible is the only source of knowledge they need. I am a firm believer in the power of God’s Word for teaching, correction, conviction, and training, as Paul writes to Timothy, but that doesn’t imply that science doesn’t have its place. We value science for how it improves our lives in so many ways. We have to be willing to see its value here as well.   

Furthermore, when it comes to relying on scripture to shape our lives, God’s call to care for the poor is among the most dominant themes of the entire Bible.  He doesn’t say the poor in Texas, but the call to love our neighbors is clear.  It is time to give up the belief that our freedom to choose for ourselves in this kind of situation is what God desires. It is time to join in the protection of all God’s children when God has granted us the knowledge and the tools to do so.