It’s a devastating message that devalues the lives of those who are autistic and alienates them from society, according to Leah Riter, an analytical chemist at Bayer Crop Science and the mother of a daughter with autism. Riter and other parents like her have watched the anti-vaccine movement stigmatize their children by portraying autism as a condition to be feared and avoided. By falsely claiming vaccines cause autism, the activists wrongly imply that autistic individuals are somehow “damaged” or “broken,” rather than individuals worthy of respect and dignity like everybody else. Autistic people often face social exclusion, and the anti-vaccine narrative compounds this phenomenon by wrongly suggesting their existence is a cautionary tale. Parents who buy into this trope may even view their autistic children with regret or shame—straining family relationships and hindering acceptance.

The practical issue is that the anti-vaccine movement diverts attention and resources from genuine support for autistic individuals. The obsession with “preventing” autism through immunization avoidance overshadows efforts to improve education, healthcare and employment opportunities for those on the spectrum. Advocacy groups and researchers waste time debunking myths instead of addressing pressing needs like sensory-friendly environments or mental health services. Autistic self-advocates, who emphasize acceptance over cure, are drowned out by conspiracy-driven campaigns.

On this episode of Facts and Fallacies, Riter joins Liza Dunn and Cam English to discuss the anti-vaccine movement’s harmful influence on the autism community and what we can do to stop it.

Dr. Leah Riter, a Senior Fellow at Bayer Crop Science and a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, is recognized for her expertise in analytical chemistry. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Florida and a doctorate in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University. Connect with her on LinkedIn and visit Autism Speaks to learn more.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish

Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 308 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

Greenpeace USA faces a potential dissolution following a $667 million lawsuit loss tied to its activism against a North Dakota pipeline project. The lawsuit, brought by pipeline company Energy Transfer, accused the organization of orchestrating “unlawful” demonstrations that disrupted operations. The hefty financial penalty threatens Greenpeace USA’s viability, and could set a precedent for stifling activist groups through litigation. Will high-profile NGOs think twice before launching their next advocacy campaign?

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has again falsely claimed that the measles vaccine “causes deaths every year,” a statement debunked as activist propaganda lacking scientific backing. Experts affirm that the measles vaccine saves many lives each year by preventing a highly contagious disease.  Kennedy’s assertion has nonetheless found a receptive audience among many Americans on the left and right. Let’s take a closer look at his allegation.

Under Trump 2.0, the FDA faces uncertainty with Marty Makary as commissioner. Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon, aims for transparency but has a history of controversial COVID-19 stances. The agency, regulating 25% of U.S. consumer spending, could see seismic shifts in drug, device, and food policies. Though Makary supports vaccines, his alignment with RFK, Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda sparks concern among experts about scientific integrity. With ultimate authority resting with Health and Human Services secretary RFK, Jr., the FDA risks becoming a battleground for ideological health reforms, threatening its reputation.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish

Johnson watched this devolution occur in real time and ultimately left her practice in 2023 to promote needed reform in the US health care system.  She outlined some of her concerns in a recent article titled A Call to Return to Core Medical Principles. Focusing on alarming changes to the Hippocratic Oath, Johnson warned that medical education is indoctrinating physicians to view patients as members of groups with predetermined needs, rather than individuals who require personalized care based on their unique circumstances.

The focus on demographic categories risks overshadowing the rigorous scientific education that is vital for effective medical practice. Rather than equipping future healthcare providers with the profound understanding of disease mechanisms, prevention, and treatment, we are diverting attention to a discourse that categorizes patients into overly simplistic boxes. This approach not only undermines the complexity of individual health needs, but also has the potential to dilute the mastery of clinical skills required for effective patient care.

The tragic irony? This activism-infused medicine actually harms the very people it’s ostensibly designed to help. On this episode of Facts and Fallacies, Dr. Nikki (as she was known to her patients) joins GLP contributor Cameron English to discuss where medicine went wrong, and why it should return to its bedrock principles—competence, compassion and a patient-first focus.

Nikki Johnson holds a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and has earned certification in both General Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Visit her website and follow her on X @notaproviderMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish

This pitched battle over the soft-spoken academic turned bureaucrat raises some important questions. For one, how did a radical outsider like Bhattacharya get the Trump Administration’s attention? There were many high-profile scientists who challenged the government’s pandemic response, so why did Bhattacharya stand out among them? Perhaps more importantly, can he do the job he’s been tasked with?

Join Cameron English and Dr. Liza Dunn as they break down these issues on episode 306 of the GLP Facts and Fallacies podcast.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish

The risk posed by unleashed trial attorneys is greater than many Americans realize—including Kennedy’s supporters on the political left and right: higher food prices, restricted access to medicine and generally lower standards of living that amount to a cost of $443 billion in a single year, or more than or 2 percent of  US GDP.

The ultimate question is, will Kennedy have enough influence in the Trump Administration to further the extremist legal causes he’s best known for? On this episode of Facts and Fallacies, Jon Entine, founder and executive director of the Genetic Literacy Project, joins Cameron English to try to answer that question.

Jon Entine, founder and executive director of the Genetic Literacy Project, is an Emmy-winning investigative TV News producer and author of seven books, including three on genetics. Please follow him on X at @JonEntine

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish