Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Robert De Niro on anti-vaccine Tribeca film controversy: 'Let's find out the truth'


Robert De Niro debates autism's link to vaccines. 

Robert De Niro recently talked about his 18 year old son Elliot with autism, and his passion for getting information out to the public.
Robert De Niro debates autism's link to vaccines on TODAY
http://www.today.com/popculture/robert-deniro-debates-autism-s-link-vaccines-today-show-t86136?cid=eml_onsite

During an NBC interview, he commented on the controversy that sparked after "Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Conspiracy," was pulled from the Tribeca festival's lineup. The anti-vaccination film is billed as an investigation into a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that found the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine does not cause autism.
When pushed on why he's ignoring the large body of scientific evidence that disputes any connection between vaccines and autism, Di Niro said “I think the movie is something people should see,” he said. “I, as a parent with a child who has autism, am concerned. I want to know the truth. And I’m not anti-vaccine, I want safe vaccines.”  When De Niro was confronted with the  broad scientific evidence that vaccines don’t cause autism, he answered: “I believe it’s much more complicated.” 
The controversy over the mumps-measles-rubella vaccine began about 20 years ago after a study suggested a link to autism. Published research has completely discredited and study after study since has shown no link. The Institute of Medicine, an independent group that advises the U.S. government on health matters, has strongly advised that researchers stop wasting time looking at vaccines and search elsewhere for the causes of autism.

When asked about De Niro's comments, Autism Speaks gave a statement to NBC News: "Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism."

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