Davidson Michael
University of Nicosia Medical School, Engomi, Cyprus.
Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2017 Dec;19(4):403-407. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.4/mdavidson.
Despite significant progress in the study of the epidemiology and genetics of autism, the etiology and patho-physiology of this condition is far from being elucidated and no curative treatment currently exists. Although solid scientific research continues, in an attempt to find explanations and solutions, a number of nonscientific and pure myths about autism have emerged. Myths that vaccines or mercury are associated with autism have been amplified by misguided scientists; frustrated, but effective parent groups; and politicians. Preventing the protection provided by vaccination or administration of mercury-chelating agents may cause real damage to autistic individuals and to innocent bystanders who as a result may be exposed to resurgent diseases that had already been "extinguished. " That such myths flourish is a consequence of the authority of scientific evidence obtained by scientific methodology losing ground to alternative truths and alternative science. This article presents a narrative of the origin of the myths around autism.
尽管在自闭症流行病学和遗传学研究方面取得了重大进展，但这种疾病的病因和病理生理学仍远未阐明，目前也没有治愈方法。虽然扎实的科学研究仍在继续，试图找到解释和解决方案，但关于自闭症出现了一些非科学的纯粹谬论。疫苗或汞与自闭症有关的谬论被误导的科学家、沮丧但有影响力的家长团体以及政治家放大了。阻止疫苗接种提供的保护或使用汞螯合剂可能会对自闭症患者以及无辜的旁观者造成实际损害，因为这些旁观者可能会接触到已经“消灭”的复发病症。这些谬论盛行是由于通过科学方法获得的科学证据的权威性让位于替代真相和替代科学。本文讲述了围绕自闭症的谬论的起源。
