The anti-vaccination debate - A way forward
Tane Harre
Public
Seen by 87
I propose that we listen to people and help them find their own way forward. In doing so I hope we can change the anti-vaccination debate from something negative to something positive.
There are thousands of anti vaccination people in New Zealand alone and far more around the world. If they each put $10 in a crowdfund then they would have the power to create scientific papers on the same scale as the larger pharmaceutical companies. These studies could then critique the other studies using the scientific method under control and paid for by the anti vaccination community.
The Internet Party would be well placed to progress this sort of idea in a number of areas. Getting people to self organise and fund their own scientific concerns.
Slightly expanded version here.
Tane Harre Mon 21 Aug 2017 8:21PM
Laws get changed and we don't have a hard constitution.
There are many studies I would like to see funded as well. This proposal isn't about the government funding the vaccination studies, it is about helping them to self organise to fund their own.
It could also be extended to other concern groups as well. Don't like the science on homeopathy? Here is how you self organise and fund your own scientific studies.
Martyn Wed 23 Aug 2017 2:56PM
Good idea Tane. Personally I find the anti-vaccination arguments, at the best, questionable, but I've got no problem with people commisioning their own studies. We can always use more SCIENCE!
How do you propose to ensure the studies are done in the correct manner? Is manner the word I want to use here? Would methodology be better choice?
Tane Harre Wed 23 Aug 2017 8:49PM
I think they would have to choose that themselves in order to have trust in it. Possibly the scientific community could look at what they have chosen before they embark on a study and point out flaws in methodology before the study is begun.
But I think that to ensure the group trusts it they should be in control and if they do a paper and it gets shot down then they will have to take those criticisms into account and redo it. Same as all science should be done.
idiom axiom Thu 24 Aug 2017 12:42AM
This can all be done on a platform like indigogo. What does the Internet Party have to do with it?
Tane Harre Thu 24 Aug 2017 3:49AM
Because "There is a small group of parents (around 3-6%) who decline vaccinations" and we need 95% to achieve proper herd immunity. The current methods of talking to the anti vaccination groups isn't working and it is better to try and engage with them than ram it in their arms.
In 2016 89 people contracted measles in Waikato, 71 had not been vaccinated. Auckland had 153 cases of Mumps last year, 80% were not vaccinated. There are 10 suspected (and confirmed) cases of Mumps in Dunedin. It is likely the same vaccination rate will hold.
idiom axiom Thu 24 Aug 2017 8:37AM
Easier to focus on entrenching the bill of rights.
Tane Harre Thu 24 Aug 2017 10:07AM
C'est quoi ça? I am not sure how you mean that. Please expand.
idiom axiom Fri 25 Aug 2017 2:04AM
Its easier to sell a general move to make the entire bill of rights entrenched, than anything related to anti-vax directly.
idiom axiom · Mon 21 Aug 2017 9:04AM
NZ has constitutional protections against being forced to undergo any medical procedure.
There are many other studies I would like to see funded ahead of quadruple checking other medical studies.