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'''Generation Rescue''' is a [[nonprofit organization]] that advocates the view that [[autism]] and related disorders are primarily caused by environmental factors,<ref name=grhome>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org |accessdate=2009-05-08 |title=Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey's autism organization – Generation Rescue}}</ref> particularly [[vaccine]]s.<ref name=GR-vaccines/> These claims are biologically implausible and lack convincing scientific evidence.<ref name=vaccines-and-autism/> The group gained widespread attention through use of an aggressive media campaign, including sponsoring full page ads in the ''[[New York Times]]'' and ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="USAToday2"/> Today, Generation Rescue is known as a platform for [[Jenny McCarthy]]'s autism and anti-vaccine advocacy.<ref name=Coombes/>
'''Generation Rescue''' is a [[nonprofit organization]] that advocates the view that [[autism]] and related disorders are primarily caused by environmental factors,<ref name=grhome>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org |accessdate=2009-05-08 |title=Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey's autism organization – Generation Rescue}}</ref>. The organization was established in 2005 by Lisa and J.B. Handley. They have gained attention through use of a media campaign, including full page ads in the ''[[New York Times]]'' and ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="USAToday2"/> Today, Generation Rescue is known as a platform for [[Jenny McCarthy]]'s autism and anti-vaccine advocacy.<ref name=Coombes/>


==Media campaign==
==Media campaign==
The organization was established in 2005 by Lisa and J.B. Handley and 150 volunteer "Rescue Angels" that included many members of the biomedical treatment movement at the time. Beginning in the spring of 2005 and running through January 2007, Generation Rescue began a national media campaign in the US, placing advertisements in such publications as ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="USAToday2">{{cite web |url=http://www.generationrescue.org/images/060406.gif |title=USA Today Ad |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=Generation Rescue website |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080414094223/http://www.generationrescue.org/images/060406.gif|archivedate=April 14, 2008}}</ref> More recently it has been fronted by [[Jenny McCarthy]], an author, television personality and former ''[[Playboy]]'' model.<ref name=Coombes>{{cite journal |author=Coombes R |title=Vaccine disputes |journal=BMJ |volume=338 |issue= |pages=b2435 |year=2009 |pmid=19546136 |doi=10.1136/bmj.b2435 |url=http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/documents/vaccines/Vaccine%20disputes,%20BMJ.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2009-11-08}}</ref>
Between spring of 2005 and January 2007, Generation Rescue began a national media campaign in the US, placing advertisements in such publications as ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="USAToday2">{{cite web |url=http://www.generationrescue.org/images/060406.gif |title=USA Today Ad |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=Generation Rescue website |publisher= |accessdate=9 October 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080414094223/http://www.generationrescue.org/images/060406.gif|archivedate=April 14, 2008}}</ref> More recently it has been lead by [[Jenny McCarthy]], an author, television personality and former ''[[Playboy]]'' model.<ref name=Coombes>{{cite journal |author=Coombes R |title=Vaccine disputes |journal=BMJ |volume=338 |issue= |pages=b2435 |year=2009 |pmid=19546136 |doi=10.1136/bmj.b2435 |url=http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/documents/vaccines/Vaccine%20disputes,%20BMJ.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2009-11-08}}</ref>


==Causes of autism==
==Causes of autism==
Generation Rescue has proposed a number of possible causes for developmental-related issues, such as vaccines, the increase in the number of vaccines administered,<ref name=GR-vaccines>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org/vaccines.html |title=About vaccines |publisher=Generation Rescue |accessdate=2009-10-26 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070504084600/http://www.generationrescue.org/vaccines.html |archivedate= May 4, 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and [[thiomersal]], a [[Mercury (element)|mercury]]-based vaccine preservative.<ref name=GR-mercury>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org/isit.html |title=Is it the mercury? |publisher=Generation Rescue |accessdate=2009-10-26 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Generation Rescue claims that [[Biomedical intervention for autism|biomedical intervention]] can help children recover.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org/biomedical.html |title=Treatment: what's biomedical treatment? |publisher=Generation Rescue |accessdate=2009-10-26 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The hypotheses that vaccines, such as [[MMR vaccine controversy|MMR]], or [[Thiomersal controversy|thiomersal]] cause autism are not supported by scientific evidence,<ref name=vaccines-and-autism>Vaccines and autism:
Generation Rescue has proposed a number of possible causes for developmental-related issues, such as vaccines, the increase in the number of vaccines administered,<ref name=GR-vaccines>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org/vaccines.html |title=About vaccines |publisher=Generation Rescue |accessdate=2009-10-26 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070504084600/http://www.generationrescue.org/vaccines.html |archivedate= May 4, 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and [[thiomersal]], a [[Mercury (element)|mercury]]-based vaccine preservative.<ref name=GR-mercury>{{cite web |url=http://generationrescue.org/isit.html |title=Is it the mercury? |publisher=Generation Rescue |accessdate=2009-10-26 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


⚫
However, as its point of view has been disputed by some of the medical community, its message has been controversial.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/debunking-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccination-20100204-nf9p.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Debunking the link between autism and vaccination | first=Nick | last=Miller | date=2010-02-04}}</ref> and the organization has been described as [[Vaccine controversy|anti-vaccine]].<ref name="Anatomy of a Scare">[http://www.newsweek.com/2009/02/20/anatomy-of-a-scare.html "Anatomy of a Scare"], Sharon Begley, ''[[Newsweek]]'', February 21, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/health/16vaccine.html "Swine Flu Shots Revive a Debate About Vaccines"], Jennifer Steinhauer, ''[[New York Times]]'', October 15, 2009</ref>
*{{cite journal |journal= Can J Neurol Sci |year=2006 |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=341–6 |title= Immunizations and autism: a review of the literature |author= Doja A, Roberts W |pmid=17168158}}
*{{cite journal |author= Gerber JS, [[Paul Offit|Offit PA]] |title= Vaccines and autism: a tale of shifting hypotheses |journal= Clin Infect Dis |volume=48 |issue=4 |pages=456–61 |year=2009 |pmid=19128068 |pmc= 2908388 |doi=10.1086/596476 |url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/596476 |laysummary=http://www.idsociety.org/Content.aspx?id=13336 |laysource=IDSA |laydate=2009-01-30}}{{dead link|date=September 2011}}
*{{cite journal |author=Gross L |title=A broken trust: lessons from the vaccine–autism wars |journal=PLoS Biol |volume=7 |issue=5 |pages=e1000114 |year=2009 |pmid=19478850 |doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.1000114 |url=http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1000114 |pmc=2682483 }}
*{{cite journal |journal=N Engl J Med |year=2007 |volume=357 |issue=13 |pages=1278–9 |title=Thimerosal and vaccines—a cautionary tale |author=Offit PA |doi=10.1056/NEJMp078187 |pmid=17898096 |url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/13/1278 }}
*{{cite journal |author= Paul R |title= Parents ask: am I risking autism if I vaccinate my children? |journal= J Autism Dev Disord |volume=39 |issue=6 |pages=962–3 |year=2009 |pmid=19363650 |doi=10.1007/s10803-009-0739-y}}
</ref> nor are claims that diets or drugs can cure autism.<ref>Claims of autism cures:
*{{cite journal |journal= J Dev Behav Pediatr |year=2006 |volume=27 |issue=2 Suppl 2 |pages=S162–71 |title= Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff? |author=Christison GW, Ivany K |pmid=16685183 |doi= 10.1097/00004703-200604002-00015}}
*{{cite journal |journal=Autism |year=2007 |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=335–48 |title= Systematic review of the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder |author= Broadstock M, Doughty C, Eggleston M |doi=10.1177/1362361307078132 |pmid=17656398}}
⚫
</ref> Because of Generation Rescue's public profile through national advertising and because its point of view is not shared by the mainstream medical community, its message has been controversial.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/debunking-the-link-between-autism-and-vaccination-20100204-nf9p.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Debunking the link between autism and vaccination | first=Nick | last=Miller | date=2010-02-04}}</ref> and the organization has been described as [[Vaccine controversy|anti-vaccine]].<ref name="Anatomy of a Scare">[http://www.newsweek.com/2009/02/20/anatomy-of-a-scare.html "Anatomy of a Scare"], Sharon Begley, ''[[Newsweek]]'', February 21, 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/health/16vaccine.html "Swine Flu Shots Revive a Debate About Vaccines"], Jennifer Steinhauer, ''[[New York Times]]'', October 15, 2009</ref>


==Criticisms==
[[MMR vaccine controversy|Claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism]], promoted by [[Andrew Wakefield]], were declared in January 2011 to be based on manipulated data and fraudulent research.<ref name=WakefieldarticleBMJ>{{cite journal |year= 2011 |doi= 10.1136/bmj.c7452 |pages= c7452 |volume= 342:c7452|title= Wakefield's article linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent |author= Godlee F, Smith J, Marcovitch H |journal = [[BMJ]] |url=http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452.full |pmid=21209060}}</ref><ref name="BMJ2011">{{cite journal | title=How the case against the MMR vaccine was fixed| author=Deer B| journal=BMJ| year=2011| volume=342| pages=c5347| url=http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c5347.full |doi= 10.1136/bmj.c5347| pmid=21209059}}</ref><ref name=NPRWakefield>{{cite news |url= http://www.npr.org/2011/01/05/132692497/journal-study-linking-vaccine-to-autism-was-fraud |publisher=NPR | agency= Associated Press |title= Study linking vaccine to autism was fraud |date= January 5, 2011 |accessdate= January 6, 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref><ref name="CNN2011">{{cite news |publisher= CNN |title= Retracted autism study an 'elaborate fraud,' British journal finds |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/autism.vaccines/index.html |date=January 6, 2011 |accessdate=January 6, 2011| location=Atlanta}}</ref> Parental concerns over vaccines have led, in turn, to decreased immunization rates and an increased incidence of [[Pertussis|whooping cough]] and [[measles]], a highly contagious and sometimes deadly disease.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vaccine2-2008may02,0,6944471.story |title= Rise in measles prompts concern |author= Lin RG II |work= Los Angeles Times |date=2008-05-02 |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> Generation Rescue issued a statement that the "media circus" following the revelation of fraud and manipulation of data was "much ado about nothing".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.generationrescue.org/ |title= Jenny McCarthy's Generation Rescue | publisher= Generation Rescue |accessdate= January 6, 2011}}</ref> [[Salon.com]] responded to Generation Rescue's statement with:<ref name=SalonMcCarthy>{{cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/06/jenny_mccarthy_autism_debate/ |author= Williams, Mary Elizabeth |title= Jenny McCarthy's autism fight grows more misguided |date= January 6, 2011 |accessdate= January 7, 2011}}</ref>{{cquote|But any organization using a celebrity to mislead parents with claims of "new" data that rely on decade-old vaccine formulas and schedules is more than disingenuous, it's flat-out dangerous.}}


== Criticisms ==
===Conferences===


⚫
Generation Rescue has previously co-sponsored an annual conference in [[Chicago]] along with another charity, Autism One.<ref>[http://www.autismone.org/content/autismone-generation-rescue-conference-2012 AutismOne / Generation Rescue Conference 2012], AutismOne.org, May 2012</ref> The choice of speakers at these conferences have led critics to accuse both organizations of promoting unproven therapies.<ref>http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2011/06/autismone-throws-their-support-behind-the-geiers-in-autism-science-digest/</ref><ref>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/bleaching-away-what-ails-you/ Bleaching away what ails you], ScienceBasedMedicine.org, 28 May 2012</ref><ref>[http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2012/05/mms-or-how-to-cure-autism-with-bleach-brought-to-you-by-autismone/ MMS, or how to cure autism with bleach. Brought to you by AutismOne], LeftBrainRightBrain.co.uk, 29 May 2012</ref>
=== Lack of peer-reviewed research ===
Accusations have been made{{whom|date=September 2014}} that much of Generation Rescue's case is based on publications that do not go through a proper [[peer review]] process.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}

===Promotion of quack treatments ===

⚫
Generation Rescue has previously co-sponsored an annual conference in [[Chicago]] along with another charity, Autism One.<ref>[http://www.autismone.org/content/autismone-generation-rescue-conference-2012 AutismOne / Generation Rescue Conference 2012], AutismOne.org, May 2012</ref> The choice of speakers at these conferences has led critics to accuse both organizations of promoting unproven therapies.<ref>http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2011/06/autismone-throws-their-support-behind-the-geiers-in-autism-science-digest/</ref><ref>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/bleaching-away-what-ails-you/ Bleaching away what ails you], ScienceBasedMedicine.org, 28 May 2012</ref><ref>[http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2012/05/mms-or-how-to-cure-autism-with-bleach-brought-to-you-by-autismone/ MMS, or how to cure autism with bleach. Brought to you by AutismOne], LeftBrainRightBrain.co.uk, 29 May 2012</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.generationrescue.org/ GenerationRescue.org] - Organisation's Website
* [http://www.generationrescue.org/ GenerationRescue.org] - Organisation's Website
* [http://www.jennymccarthybodycount.com/Jenny_McCarthy_Body_Count/Home.html Jenny McCarthy Body Count] - A website critical of Jenny McCarthy's campaign
* [http://www.mothering.com/sections/news_bulletins/october2005.html#autism Mothering.com]{{dead link|date=September 2011}} - 'Is the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] losing credibility with parents and pediatricians?' Bobby Manning, ''[[Mothering (magazine)|Mothering]]'' (October, 2005)
* [http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20050524-16281400-bc-ageofautism-chelation.xml ScienceDaily.com]{{dead link|date=September 2011}} - 'The Age of Autism: Heavy metal', [[Dan Olmsted]], [[UPI]]' (May 24, 2005)
* [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/05/25/BAGU0CU2K71.DTL SFGate.com] - 'A child's return from autism: Couple eager to share their conviction that mercury poisoning was the culprit' Leslie Fulbright, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' (May 25, 2005)
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vaccines/ "The Vaccine War"], PBS [[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|FRONTLINE]] documentary, April 27, 2010
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vaccines/ "The Vaccine War"], PBS [[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|FRONTLINE]] documentary, April 27, 2010


Revision as of 15:50, 22 September 2014

Generation Rescue is a nonprofit organization that advocates the view that autism and related disorders are primarily caused by environmental factors,[1]. The organization was established in 2005 by Lisa and J.B. Handley. They have gained attention through use of a media campaign, including full page ads in the New York Times and USA Today.[2] Today, Generation Rescue is known as a platform for Jenny McCarthy's autism and anti-vaccine advocacy.[3]

Media campaign

Between spring of 2005 and January 2007, Generation Rescue began a national media campaign in the US, placing advertisements in such publications as USA Today.[2] More recently it has been lead by Jenny McCarthy, an author, television personality and former Playboy model.[3]

Causes of autism

Generation Rescue has proposed a number of possible causes for developmental-related issues, such as vaccines, the increase in the number of vaccines administered,[4] and thiomersal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative.[5]

However, as its point of view has been disputed by some of the medical community, its message has been controversial.[6] and the organization has been described as anti-vaccine.[7][8]

Criticisms

Conferences

Generation Rescue has previously co-sponsored an annual conference in Chicago along with another charity, Autism One.[9] The choice of speakers at these conferences have led critics to accuse both organizations of promoting unproven therapies.[10][11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey's autism organization – Generation Rescue". Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  2. ^ a b "USA Today Ad". Generation Rescue website. Archived from the original on April 14, 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  3. ^ a b Coombes R (2009). "Vaccine disputes" (PDF). BMJ. 338: b2435. doi:10.1136/bmj.b2435. PMID 19546136. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  4. ^ "About vaccines". Generation Rescue. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved 2009-10-26. [dead link]
  5. ^ "Is it the mercury?". Generation Rescue. Retrieved 2009-10-26. [dead link]
  6. ^ Miller, Nick (2010-02-04). "Debunking the link between autism and vaccination". The Age. Melbourne.
  7. ^ "Anatomy of a Scare", Sharon Begley, Newsweek, February 21, 2009
  8. ^ "Swine Flu Shots Revive a Debate About Vaccines", Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times, October 15, 2009
  9. ^ AutismOne / Generation Rescue Conference 2012, AutismOne.org, May 2012
  10. ^ http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2011/06/autismone-throws-their-support-behind-the-geiers-in-autism-science-digest/
  11. ^ Bleaching away what ails you, ScienceBasedMedicine.org, 28 May 2012
  12. ^ MMS, or how to cure autism with bleach. Brought to you by AutismOne, LeftBrainRightBrain.co.uk, 29 May 2012


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