The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is demanding ABC cancel the premiere episode of “Eli Stone,” scheduled to air on Thursday, Jan. 31. As reported in The New York Times, the episode features a lawyer who argues in court that a vaccine caused a child’s autism. While the show presents cases for both sides of this hot-topic argument, the episode’s conclusion leaves viewers with the impression that there is a scientific link between vaccinations and autism (the jury awards the mother $5.2 million, leaving audiences with the destructive idea that vaccines do cause autism), according to AAP.
Speaking out about ABC's "reckless irresponsibility," AAP President Renee R. Jenkins, MD, said, “If parents watch this program and choose to deny their children immunizations, ABC will share in the responsibility for the suffering and deaths that occur as a result. The consequences of a decline in immunization rates could be devastating to the health of our nation’s children.”
According to AAP, no scientific link has been found between vaccines and autism. AAP and other health organizations vow to continue their work to ensure the safety of childhood vaccines. To learn more about autism, immunizations and other child health topics, visit the AAP’s Web site. Or, to read more about this topic in the news, click here for the CNN story.
Tell us what you think: Should ABC pull this episode off TV airwaves? Email your thoughts to us at editorial@dallaschild.com.
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