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    RFK Jr. and The Rise of the Anti-Vaxx Movement

    Tue Jul 18 2023
    RFK Jr.anti-vax conspiracy theoriesvaccine safetyAndrew WakefieldMMR vaccine scandal

    Description

    The episode discusses the views and background of RFK Jr., including his anti-vax conspiracy theories and endorsements from controversial figures. It explores his personal experiences and influences, as well as the history of anti-vax movements and vaccine safety concerns. The episode debunks conspiracy theories, highlights the repercussions of Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent study, and examines RFK Jr.'s beliefs without sufficient evidence.

    Insights

    RFK Jr.'s Background and Influences

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s personal experiences and family tragedies have contributed to his susceptibility to conspiratorial thinking.

    History of Anti-Vax Movements

    Anti-vax movements have existed for centuries, with cycles of compulsory vaccination, decline in vaccination rates, and subsequent outbreaks observed throughout history.

    Vaccine Mandates and Safety Concerns

    The vaccine act of 1986 granted immunity to vaccine companies, raising concerns about safety. Vaccines do have rare side effects, but the risks of not getting vaccinated outweigh them.

    Debunking Conspiracy Theories and Media Coverage

    Conspiracy theorists often claim to be silenced, but the link between vaccines and autism was constructed later on. Scandals related to vaccines in the 1990s gained attention.

    Andrew Wakefield and the MMR Vaccine Scandal

    Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent study linking the MMR vaccine to autism had significant repercussions, with flaws in the scientific establishment and peer review system exposed.

    RFK Jr.'s Beliefs and Lack of Evidence

    RFK Jr. relies on personal belief rather than evidence to support his claims about vaccines causing various medical conditions.

    Chapters

    1. RFK Jr.'s Views and Background
    2. RFK Jr.'s Supporters and Controversial Figures
    3. RFK Jr.'s Personal Background and Influences
    4. History of Anti-Vax Movements
    5. Vaccine Mandates and Safety Concerns
    6. Debunking Conspiracy Theories and Media Coverage
    7. Andrew Wakefield and the MMR Vaccine Scandal
    8. Repercussions of Andrew Wakefield's Study
    9. RFK Jr.'s Beliefs and Lack of Evidence
    Summary
    Transcript

    RFK Jr.'s Views and Background

    00:00 - 07:13

    • RFK Jr. is an anti-vax conspiracy theorist who has been kicked off social media platforms for his views.
    • He believes in various conspiracy theories, including the CIA's involvement in JFK's assassination and the wrong conviction of his father's killer.
    • He blames mass shootings on antidepressants and other factors.
    • He supports the lab leak theory about COVID-19.
    • He promotes Ivermectin and vitamin D as COVID-19 treatments.
    • He thinks chemicals in water cause transgender people.
    • He wrote a book titled 'The Real Anthony Fauci Bill Gates Big Pharma in the Global War on Democracy and Public Health' with endorsements from controversial figures like Tucker Carlson and Rob Schneider.

    RFK Jr.'s Supporters and Controversial Figures

    06:51 - 13:43

    • RFK Jr. has endorsements from controversial figures like Tucker Carlson and Rob Schneider.
    • List of public figures with no credibility: Tucker Carlson, Tony Robbins, Alan Dershowitz, Joseph Mercola, Rob Schneider, Alex Jones
    • Rob Schneider is an HIV truther
    • Wi-Fi radiation causes cancer and opens up the blood brain barrier according to Rob Schneider
    • Schneider's voice condition called spasmodic dysphonia may be linked to a flu vaccine

    RFK Jr.'s Personal Background and Influences

    13:21 - 20:09

    • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has personal experiences including family tragedies and addiction that led him to become a conspiracy theorist.
    • Kennedy's work at the natural resources defense council is mentioned, where he was involved in cleaning up the Hudson River and advocating for climate change action.
    • The hosts speculate that Kennedy's crusader personality combined with his personal experiences make him susceptible to conspiratorial thinking.
    • They acknowledge that Kennedy's story is not one of intentionally revealing himself as a kook, but rather a result of unstable core issues and insecurities.
    • The hosts express empathy for the challenges faced by individuals with notable parents and the pressure to live up to their legacy.

    History of Anti-Vax Movements

    25:43 - 32:20

    • Anti-vax movements have existed since the invention of vaccines in the 18th century.
    • The cycle of compulsory vaccination, decline in vaccination rates, and subsequent outbreaks has been observed throughout history.
    • The polio vaccine rollout in the 1950s faced a major disaster when a batch of vaccines was not properly treated and caused polio infections.
    • This incident fueled anti-vaccine sentiment and lawsuits.
    • There is a general unease and lack of understanding about vaccines due to fear of needles and the mysterious nature of how they work.
    • The incident in 1955 further intensified anti-vaccine sentiment and led to organized opposition.
    • Claims that vaccines are not tested on placebos are false; there have been studies testing measles vaccines against placebos.

    Vaccine Mandates and Safety Concerns

    38:23 - 44:48

    • Current brand name vaccines are not tested against placebos because they are compared to older formulations for effectiveness.
    • The vaccine act of 1986 granted immunity from liability to vaccine companies, which incentivized the production of new vaccines but raised concerns about safety.
    • A TV news special called DPT Vaccine Roulette in 1982 highlighted the potential dangers of the DPT shot through anecdotes and misleading information.
    • The scale of vaccination and the natural tendency to look for patterns can lead to correlations being mistaken as causation.
    • The number of vaccines children receive and the timing of their administration can lead to a perception of causation between vaccines and disabilities.
    • Due to the litigation risk, the number of companies making vaccines decreased significantly in the 1980s.
    • The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was passed in 1980, establishing a compensation scheme for vaccine-related injuries.
    • The compensation scheme allows parents to present their cases before a panel of judges and potentially receive awards.
    • Vaccines do have side effects, but they are rare and small compared to the risks associated with not getting vaccinated.
    • RFK Jr. is correct that there is a compensation scheme protecting pharmaceutical companies from liability, but he omits important context such as historical reasons for its implementation and its lower standards compared to legal standards.

    Debunking Conspiracy Theories and Media Coverage

    44:32 - 51:24

    • Conspiracy theorists often claim to be silenced by scientists, like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nicki Minaj.
    • Dr. Fauci was accused of silencing Nicki Minaj after she questioned COVID vaccine side effects involving testicular swelling.
    • Twitter censored Nicki Minaj's communication with her followers based on Dr. Fauci's response.
    • Anti-vax movements in the US do not want there to be any autistic people, but the link between vaccines and autism was constructed later on.
    • Organized anti-vax movements gained attention in the UK due to scandals related to vaccines in the 1990s.

    Andrew Wakefield and the MMR Vaccine Scandal

    51:04 - 58:09

    • Jackie Fletcher and other parents form an organized political movement blaming vaccines for their children's health issues.
    • They hire lawyer Richard Buff to pursue a legal case against vaccine manufacturers.
    • Richard Buff seeks evidence to support the case and finds researcher Andrew Wakefield.
    • Andrew Wakefield publishes a study claiming a link between the MMR vaccine and developmental delays.
    • The study suggests that something in the vaccines is causing bowel disintegration, which then leads to autism.
    • The paper meets the legal criteria for liability under UK and EU product laws.
    • The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, publishes the paper, and Andrew Wakefield holds a press conference.

    Repercussions of Andrew Wakefield's Study

    57:41 - 1:04:27

    • It took 12 years for the Lancet to retract Wakefield's paper.
    • The scientific establishment was too lenient with Wakefield, accepting his work despite its flaws.
    • The peer review system is flawed and biased, allowing questionable findings to be published.
    • Science should not be divorced from political and social contexts.
    • RFK Jr.'s radicalization was influenced by his child's severe allergies.

    RFK Jr.'s Beliefs and Lack of Evidence

    1:10:29 - 1:14:02

    • RFK Jr. became radicalized by his experience of having children with severe allergies.
    • He believes there is a link between vaccines and various medical conditions.
    • RFK Jr. lists off a range of conditions that he believes are caused by vaccines, despite their lack of biological similarity.
    • When confronted, RFK Jr. relies on personal belief rather than evidence to support his claims.
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