Orac over at Respectful Insolence has summarized a little bit about Kathleen Seidel, a pro-science blogger who explores the issues of anti-vaccination autism activists. Kathleen takes the logical attitude that chasing pseudoscientific causes for autism takes money and attention away from research into the real causes and treatments. Orac gives a progress report on her legal battle with Clifford Shoemaker over an intrusive subpoena that he sent her. Shoemaker is a sleazy lawyer who profits hugely by encouraging anti-vaccination lawsuits.
More interesting, however, are the responses to Kathleen’s massive amount of work that resulted in an ever-growing series of posts that has revealed just how unethical Dr. Mark Geier and his son David Geier have been in pushing unproven and potentially dangerous treatments without a shred of scientific evidence on autistic children and, most disturbingly of all to me, in carrying out their “research” from their home in Silver Spring, MD. Welcome to the Institute for Chronic Illnesses….
A commenter adds,
Where I think Kathleen is extraordinary is in her moral courage. She is taking a risk by her frankness and by being public with her identity. I am very glad that at least this attempt by Shoemaker to harass her has back-fired.
Read Orac’s article, read the links to Kathleen’s articles, read the comments… it’s all good. And follow the money. Anti-vaccination crusaders can make big bucks.
