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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, February 3, 2025
Science Demands Questions: The Danger of Silencing Vaccine Critics
Richard Z. Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas. E. Levy, M.D., J.D., Atsuo Yanagisawa3, M.D., Ph.D., Bo Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D., Ilyes Baghli, M.D., Susan Down, M.D., Mignonne Mary, M.D., W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D.
Vaccines have become one of the most polarized topics in modern public discourse. The moment an individual raises questions or expresses doubt about vaccines, they are often hastily labeled as "anti-vaxxers" or conspiracy theorists. This reaction stifles critical thinking, undermines scientific inquiry, and ironically, harms public health-the very thing vaccines are designed to protect.
At their core, vaccines are pharmaceutical products. They are drugs, designed to provoke specific biological responses within the body to build immunity against certain diseases. Like all drugs, vaccines come with inherent risks, potential side effects, and limitations. No medical intervention is infallible, and to pretend otherwise contradicts the fundamental principles of science and medicine.
The Essence of Science: Questioning and Inquiry
Science thrives on skepticism, rigorous debate, and continuous questioning. The very process of scientific advancement depends on challenging existing theories, scrutinizing data, and fostering open discussions. Labeling individuals as "anti-science" simply because they question vaccine efficacy, safety, or policy decisions is, in itself, profoundly anti-scientific.
Imagine if such dismissive attitudes were applied across all fields of medicine. Should questioning the long-term safety of a new drug be equated to being "anti-medicine"? Should concerns about side effects in pharmaceuticals be dismissed as conspiracy theories? Clearly, this would be both illogical and detrimental to patient care and medical progress.
Vaccines: Benefits, Risks, and the Importance of Informed Consent
Vaccines have played a critical role in reducing the burden of infectious diseases globally. However, acknowledging their benefits should not come at the cost of ignoring their risks. Every medical intervention carries the possibility of adverse effects, and vaccines are no exception. From mild reactions like soreness at the injection site to more severe complications, these risks, though statistically rare, are real for those affected.
Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical medical practice. This principle requires that individuals receive comprehensive information about the benefits and risks of any medical intervention, including vaccines. How can true informed consent exist if open discussions are discouraged and dissenting voices are silenced?
The Harm of Polarization to Public Health
Ironically, the aggressive labeling of vaccine skeptics does more harm than good to public health. When people feel their concerns are dismissed or ridiculed, trust in health authorities erodes. This erosion of trust can lead to increased vaccine hesitancy, not because of the questions themselves, but because of the authoritarian response to those questions.
Public health thrives on transparency, dialogue, and mutual respect. Suppressing debate fosters suspicion, while open, respectful conversations build trust and encourage informed decision-making.
Reclaiming Rational Discourse
It's time to depolarize the vaccine conversation. We must reclaim the space for rational, science-based discourse where questions are welcomed, not condemned. The path to genuine public health lies in acknowledging that vaccines, like all drugs, deserve scrutiny. They should be continuously evaluated for safety, efficacy, and necessity in the context of emerging data.
Those who call for open discussions about vaccines are not 'anti-vaxxers'; they are pro-science, pro-safety, and advocates for medical transparency and public health. Suppressing their voices is not only unscientific-it is dangerous.
In the end, the true enemies of public health are not those who question, but those who fear the questions.
- Richard Z. Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, Co-Founder, Low Carb Medicine Alliance of China
- Thomas E. Levy, M.D., J.D, Contributing Editor, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service
- Atsuo Yanagisawa3, M.D., Ph.D., President, Japanese Society for Orthomolecular Medicine
- Bo Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. President, Swedish Society for Orthomolecular Medicine
- Ilyes Baghli, M.D., President, International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine
- Susan Down, M.D., President, Silicon Valley Health Institute
- Mignonne Mary, M.D., Director, The Remedy Room
- W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D., Principal, CME Scribe
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Editorial Review Board:
Albert G. B. Amoa, MB.Ch.B, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Seth Ayettey, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. (Ghana)
Ilyès Baghli, M.D. (Algeria)
Barry Breger, M.D. (Canada)
Ian Brighthope, MBBS, FACNEM (Australia)
Gilbert Henri Crussol, D.M.D. (Spain)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Ian Dettman, Ph.D. (Australia)
Susan R. Downs, M.D., M.P.H. (USA)
Ron Ehrlich, B.D.S. (Australia)
Hugo Galindo, M.D. (Colombia)
Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D. (USA)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Claus Hancke, MD, FACAM (Denmark)
Patrick Holford, BSc (United Kingdom)
Ron Hunninghake, M.D. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Dwight Kalita, Ph.D. (USA)
Felix I. D. Konotey-Ahulu, M.D., FRCP (Ghana)
Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria)
Fabrice Leu, N.D., (Switzerland)
Alan Lien, Ph.D. (Taiwan)
Homer Lim, M.D. (Philippines)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Pedro Gonzalez Lombana, M.D., Ph.D. (Colombia)
Victor A. Marcial-Vega, M.D. (Puerto Rico)
Juan Manuel Martinez, M.D. (Colombia)
Mignonne Mary, M.D. (USA)
Dr.Aarti Midha M.D., ABAARM (India)
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Sarah Myhill, MB, BS (United Kingdom)
Tahar Naili, M.D. (Algeria)
Zhiyong Peng, M.D. (China)
Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Selvam Rengasamy, MBBS, FRCOG (Malaysia)
Jeffrey A. Ruterbusch, D.O. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Thomas N. Seyfried, Ph.D. (USA)
Han Ping Shi, M.D., Ph.D. (China)
T.E. Gabriel Stewart, M.B.B.CH. (Ireland)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. (USA), Founding Editor
Richard Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. (USA), Editor-In-Chief
Associate Editor: Robert G. Smith, Ph.D. (USA)
Editor, Japanese Edition: Atsuo Yanagisawa, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan)
Editor, Chinese Edition: Richard Cheng, M.D., Ph.D. (USA)
Editor, Norwegian Edition: Dag Viljen Poleszynski, Ph.D. (Norway)
Editor, Arabic Edition: Moustafa Kamel, R.Ph, P.G.C.M (Egypt)
Editor, Korean Edition: Hyoungjoo Shin, M.D. (South Korea)
Editor, Spanish Edition: Sonia Rita Rial, PhD (Argentina)
Editor, German Edition: Bernhard Welker, M.D. (Germany)
Associate Editor, German Edition: Gerhard Dachtler, M.Eng. (Germany)
Assistant Editor: Michael Passwater (USA)
Contributing Editor: Thomas E. Levy, M.D., J.D. (USA)
Contributing Editor: Damien Downing, M.B.B.S., M.R.S.B. (United Kingdom)
Contributing Editor: W. Todd Penberthy, Ph.D. (USA)
Contributing Editor: Ken Walker, M.D. (Canada)
Technology Editor: Michael S. Stewart, B.Sc.C.S. (USA)
Associate Technology Editor: Robert C. Kennedy, M.S. (USA)
Legal Consultant: Jason M. Saul, JD (USA)
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