Category Archives: medicine

COVID-19 Vaccine Suspensions May Be Rash Rather than Precautionary

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

The wish to take time for careful deliberation of risks, which in itself is perfectly reasonable, immediately lead to decisions to suspend the vaccine while authorities deliberated. This is indicative of a natural quick and less measured reaction happening in tandem with the appropriate data-analysis. The natural reaction to be particularly averse of man-made, unfamiliar risks (like those from vaccine side-effects) easily overshadows our appreciation of natural ones (like the continuing spread and death toll from the pandemic). It feels more reassuring to actively take a step to avoid a risk (vaccination side-effect), while passively allowing the risk of disease to continue. Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, science communication, society, vaccines | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Tribute to My Grandmother, A Survivor of War, and a Pioneer Science Communicator 1950-1980

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Thoughtscapism

My grandmother was a strong woman who lived through difficult times, and went on to make science communication history, in both print and TV. Continue reading →

Posted in medicine, meta, science communication, vaccines | Tagged | 4 Comments

Seven Reasons Why You Really Don’t Want to Have Measles

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Thoughtscapism

In light of the current measles epidemics spreading in Europe, I wanted to visit some of the main concerns with the disease, and the reasons we very fervently want to put a stop to its spread. Seven reasons to make … Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, parenting, vaccines | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

5.-6. Glyphosate, Other Pesticides, and The Precautionary Principle

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Thoughtscapism

In my series 17 Questions about Glyphosate, question 5. deals with questions I have encountered about how to prepare for and anticipate potential problems which we may have too little knowledge of to foresee at present. In other words, should … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, biology, chemistry, health, medicine | Tagged , | 7 Comments

2.-3. Glyphosate and Health Effects A-Z

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Thoughtscapism

In my series 17 Questions about Glyphosate, question 2. looks at glyphosate and health effects, and also at what role surfactants might play in some of the results. *Added: Information about glyphosate breakdown product AMPA, and a section on endocrine disruptor … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, chemistry, health, medicine | Tagged | 9 Comments

The Great Myth of Vaccines and Autism

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Thoughtscapism

For a long time I thought there would be no need for me to write about the misconception that vaccines would somehow be connected to autism. This is a point that has been so extensively studied that there is no … Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, parenting, vaccines | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Should You Worry About Formaldehyde in Vaccines?

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Thoughtscapism

Formaldehyde is necessary for the biosynthesis of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids – our DNA. The levels we are talking about when it comes to vaccines? Even at maximum residue levels, less than one tenth of what is found in the blood volume of an infant. Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, vaccines | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Aluminum in Perspective

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Thoughtscapism

Many people are concerned about vaccine ingredients. I have written elsewhere about two preservatives used in some vaccines (Mercury in retrogade and Formaldehyde in us and vaccines), but here I take a look at aluminum, which is a vaccine adjuvant used in Diptheria-Tetanus, Hepatitis, Haemofilus influenza … Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, nutrition, vaccines | Tagged , | 7 Comments

The World Health Organization has a list of: “Web sites that provide information on vaccine safety and that adhere to good information practices. While many quality web sites offer science-based information about vaccine safety, others may provide unbalanced and misleading information. … Continue reading →

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Thoughtscapism | 2 Comments

The Simple Math of Herd Immunity

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Thoughtscapism

I have often come across claims that wish to contest the existence of herd immunity. I find these puzzling. First of all, they are usually offered without proof. But mostly what befuddles me is that the argument approaches the topic backwards. … Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, vaccines | Tagged , | 35 Comments