scholarly journals Vaccination as a cause of autism—myths and controversies

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-407 ◽  

Despite significant progress in the study of the epidemiology and genetics of autism, the etiology and patho-physiology of this condition is far from being elucidated and no curative treatment currently exists. Although solid scientific research continues, in an attempt to find explanations and solutions, a number of nonscientific and pure myths about autism have emerged. Myths that vaccines or mercury are associated with autism have been amplified by misguided scientists; frustrated, but effective parent groups; and politicians. Preventing the protection provided by vaccination or administration of mercury-chelating agents may cause real damage to autistic individuals and to innocent bystanders who as a result may be exposed to resurgent diseases that had already been “extinguished. ” That such myths flourish is a consequence of the authority of scientific evidence obtained by scientific methodology losing ground to alternative truths and alternative science. This article presents a narrative of the origin of the myths around autism.

Author(s):  
Are Holen

The first big wave of scientific research on meditation came in the 1970s and mainly focused on the physiology of relaxation. The second wave, which is still ongoing, has a stronger focus on modes of attention and their neural correlates. In both waves of meditation research, Anglo-American scientists have dominated the arena, but the kinds of meditation investigated have almost exclusively been of Asian origin. This essay argues that the shifting focus of scientific studies is not only determined by the available scientific methodology, but also by the form of meditation under investigation, as well as the influence from society and popular culture.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Warner

SummaryThis editorial addresses the question of whether some of the basic tenets of the recovery model – optimism about outcome, the value of work, the importance of empowerment of patients and the utility of user-run programmes – are supported by the scientific research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. Y01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Cormick

Can we really say what type of story has impact on us, and what type of story does not? Evidence suggests that we can. But we need to better understand the way that stories work on us, at a neural and empathetic level, and better understand the ways that the elements of stories, such as structure and metaphor work. By combining scientific research with the deeper wisdom of traditional storytelling we have both a deep knowledge married to scientific evidence — which can be very powerful tools for science communicators.


2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giampaolo Ghilardi ◽  
Vittoradolfo Tambone

Il presente lavoro analizza i presupposti ontologici della metodologia scientifica identificata nella formula “riduzione consapevole e cooperante”. Viene studiata l’idea di essere sottesa alle riduzioni scientifiche, distinguendo tra riduzioni legittime e riduzionismo inadeguato, per valutare all’interno della metodologia clinica la complessità dell’agire scientifico. Si sono quindi ricercate le radici ontologiche della complessità nella scienza, approdando così al realismo dimensionale teorizzato per primo da Viktor Frankl. La rigorizzazione di questo modello analitico ci ha condotti a recuperare il tema filosofico dell’analogia quale strumento importante per la razionalità scientifica, in grado mantenere in tensione feconda tra loro i diversi elementi del discorso epistemologico. Questo percorso si è quindi sviluppato sulle condizioni di possibilità della conoscenza umana, rintracciando nella nozione di “potenzialità futura” il tratto distintivo dell’impresa conoscitiva. Il tema è quindi stato approfondito nei suoi fondamenti ontologici principali, analizzando i concetti di potenzialità e possibilità applicati all’ambito conoscitivo. La fondazione ontologica del modello conoscitivo analizzato viene pertanto trovata in un essere analogico, vale a dire composto su diversi livelli non esauribili concettualmente dall’indagine scientifica, ma neppure estranei alla capacità d’indagine umana. ---------- The present work develops the ontological presuppositions of scientific methodology labeled as “aware and cooperative reduction”. The idea of being underlying scientific reduction is analyzed by distinguishing among legitimate and improper reductionism. This framework is useful to assess within the context of clinical methodology the complexity of scientific practice. We also focus on the ontological roots of complexity in science, reaching to what Viktor Frankl has named “dimensional realism”. Thanks to this analytical model we recovered the theme of analogy as an important instrument of scientific rationality, which allows to keep together both the objective and the subjective instances of the epistemological domain. This speculative path lead us to ask about the conditions of possibility of human knowledge. In so doing, we have found the notion of “future potentiality” to be the mark of human knowledge. The result of our inquiry is that “analogical being” is the ontological foundation of scientific methodology. The ontological idea of “analogy” conveys an understanding of being constituted by different levels, or dimensions, which are not conceptually exhaustible within scientific research, but which are nevertheless accessible by human investigation.


Author(s):  
Agnieszka Lekka-Kowalik

It has been claimed that decisions concerning scientific research topics and the publication of research results are purely methodological, and that any moral considerations refer only to research methods and uses of acquired knowledge. The arguments advanced in favor of this view appeal to the moral neutrality of scientific knowledge and the intrinsic value of truth. I argue that neither is valid. Moreover, I show three cases where a scientist’s decision to begin research clearly bears moral relevance: (1) when starting an inquiry would create circumstances threatening some non-cognitive values; (2) when achieving a certain piece of knowledge would threaten the existence of the individual’s private sphere; and (3) when there are reasons to think that humankind is not prepared to accumulate some knowledge. These cases do not prove the existence of some intrinsically ‘morally forbidden topics,’ but show that the moral permissibility of any given inquiry is not a priori guaranteed but needs to be judged in the same way that its methodological soundness is judged. Judgments concerning research topics have both methodological and moral aspects and these two cannot be separated under the threat of distorting science. Making such judgments requires knowledge not only of scientific methodology, but also of its social and philosophical implications. Philosophy is necessary in order to do good science.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Stephenson ◽  
Kevin Wheldall

In this article, the evidence regarding a proposed ‘cure’ for dyslexia and other, arguably related, conditions is examined critically. The origins and history of the Dore program and its progenitors, its introduction to Australia and its advertising claims are reviewed, with a focus on the claims made with regard to dyslexia, and particularly with regard to reading. The article compares the claims made about the program and the existing published research, considers whether the Dore program makes conceptual sense in the light of current scientific research and theory, evaluates the existing specific evidence adduced by its advocates as proof for the efficacy of the program, and compares the claims made by the program promoters with the scientific evidence available. It is concluded that none of the necessary desiderata to substantiate claims for a cure are met by the available scientific evidence for the efficacy of the Dore program.


Author(s):  
Muktar H. Aliyu

The usefulness of evidence arising from scientific research is influenced by several factors, and foremost among these factors is the design of the epidemiologic study from which the findings are drawn. In evidence-based medicine, the quality of scientific evidence is often graded on the base of the type of study design and includes appraisal of methods by which studies of exposure and outcomes are planned and implemented. Several factors must be considered when designing a scientific study, including the hypothesis being tested, study cost, time frame, subject characteristics, choice of variables or measurements, and ethical concerns. In this chapter, the different types of study designs commonly encountered in clinical research, common measures of morbidity and mortality in epidemiology, and errors (random and systematic) that may threaten conclusions derived from inferences arising from epidemiologic studies are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 107-131
Author(s):  
Andrzej Pieczywok

The effectiveness of any scientific research depends on the correct preparation of the research project. This cannot be done without the practical capability of applying scientific methodology. In the research process, the way of defining certain facts or the operationalization of concepts is of great importance. A key issue is the accuracy and reliability of research, as well as the construction of a theory based on an axiomatically structured layout of empirically verified theorems. The article is an important voice in a broader discussion of identity building in security science. The author is convinced that the empirical dimension of the identity of security sciences will find its application in the research procedure, as well as in the implementation of qualification work in this area.


2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 652-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
David William Moraes ◽  
Maitê Jotz ◽  
Willian Roberto Menegazzo ◽  
Michele Sabrina Menegazzo ◽  
Steffi Veloso ◽  
...  

Summary Introduction: In recent decades, there has been a reduction in the number of graduates from medical schools who choose to pursue a career in scientific research. That has an impact on the profile of graduates, since medical education depends on understanding the formation of scientific evidence. The construction of new knowledge is also hampered by the reduction of medical scientists, whose clinical experience with patients provides an essential step towards medical Science evolution. Objective: The present cross-sectional study sought to identify the interest in research among medical students from a federal university in southern Brazil. Method: Medical students from a federal university were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire that sought to identify the level of knowledge about the importance of scientific research in medical training, and the interest of this population in this element of their training. Results: 278 medical students from the first to the sixth year responded to the questionnaire, and 81.7% stated their interest in medical research. However, only 4.7% of respondents considered research as first in degree of importance to their medical training. The variable "interest in research" showed no statistically significant association with age, gender, presence of physicians in the family, or other prior college courses. Conclusion: Although interest in research is clearly present among the students, this is still an underexplored element among the population studied. The incorporation of research in the learning process depends on stimulus and guidance until it becomes culturally consolidated as an essential element of the medical training.


Author(s):  
Rizki Setiawan

AbstractHuman life and society are directly related to nature and the environment. Relations that first appear as natural, namely natural conditions that determine various aspects of individual and social life. The ideal relationship is only beginning, which begins when humans compose interpretations and determine actions for their ecological environment. In short, in the material running occurs reciprocity between nature and humans while in ideal running occurs one-way interaction in which humans treat nature according to their perspective. This article uses a meta-analysis research method that aims to provide scientific evidence about the detection and benefits obtained from the implementation of local wisdom-based social learning as an educational preventive effort. In addition, it also encourages new studies on local wisdom that can be social learning in mitigation transition, emergency response, as well as disaster rehabilitation and rehabilitation. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis that collecting and summarizing the evidence related to local wisdom-based social learning as an effort to prevent education collected from a variety of scientific research and scientific research related to books, journals, mass media, and others. That is with discussions related to human activities and disasters, the implications of the industrial revolution 4.0 on relations between humans and human relations with nature, and facilitating social learning of local wisdom related to disaster mitigation. The era of industrial revolution 4.0 when everyday life is difficult to resolve with the current technology has caused the separation of humans from their environment. Digital development is increasingly rapidly minimizing human interaction with the environment, and making people more distant from the environment. Humans seem to be separated from the physical environment which is higher than is known because humans no longer need nature to survive sustainably. While local wisdom and local knowledge can strengthen individual and social relations with the Environment. Through social learning on local wisdom, it is expected that humans will have a deeper understanding of natural activities and problems caused by natural disasters and can even be prevented from happening.   Kehidupan manusia serta masyarakat berkait langsung dengan alam dan lingkungan. Relasi yang pertamakali muncul ialah yang bersifat alamiah, yaitu kondisi alam secara material menentukan berbagai aspek kehidupan individual dan sosial. Baru kemudian terjalin relasi ideal, yang dimulai sejak manusia menyusun penafsiran dan menentukan tindakan terhadap lingkungan ekologisnya. Singkatnya, dalam ranah material terjadi interaksi timbal balik antara alam dan manusia sementara dalam ranah ideal terjadi interaksi satu arah dimana manusia memperlakukan alam sesuai perspektif yang dimilikinya. Artikel ini menggunakan metode penelitian meta analisis yang bertujuan untuk menyediakan bukti-bukti ilmiah mengenai pendasaran dan keuntungan yang didapat dari implementasi pembelajaran sosial berbasis kearifan lokal sebagai upaya preventif bencana. Selain itu juga mendorong studi baru mengenai kearifan lokal yang dapat menjadi muatan pembelajaran sosial dalam kerangka mitigasi, tanggap darurat, maupun rehabilitasi dan rekonstruksi bencana. Tinjauan sistematis dan meta-analisis yang meringkas bukti terkait pembelajaran sosial berbasis kearifan lokal sebagai upaya preventif bencana yang dikumpulkan dari beragam penelitian ilmiah maupun pemikiran ilmiah yang bersumber dari buku, jurnal, media massa, dan lainnya. Yaitu dengan mengidentifikasi relasi antara aktivitas manusia dengan bencana, implikasi revolusi industri 4.0 terhadap relasi antar manusia dan relasi manusia dengan alam, dan mengidentifikasi pembelajaran sosial kearifan lokal terkait mitigasi bencana. Era revolusi industri 4.0 dimana keseharian sulit dipisahkan dengan teknologi yang berlangsung sekarang ini telah menyebabkan keterpisahan manusia dengan lingkungannya. Perkembangan digital yang kian pesat meminimalisir interaksi manusia dengan lingkungan, dan membuat manusia semakin berjarak dengan lingkungan. Manusia seakan terpisah dengan lingkungan fisik ia berada yang membuatnya semakin tidak mengenal gejala-gejala alam, bahkan manusia tak lagi peduli kebutuhan alam untuk menjaga dirinya tetap lestari. Padahal kearifan lokal dan pengetahuan lokal tradisional dapat mempererat relasi individu dan sosial dengan lingkungan. Melalui pembelajaran sosial atas kearifan lokal diharapkan manusia memiliki pemahaman yang lebih dalam atas aktivitas dan gejala alam sehingga kerugian yang diakibatkan oleh bencana alam dapat dikurangi dan bahkan dicegah untuk terjadi.


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