Science and Technology

The Panic Virus: A True Story of Medicine, Science, and Fear

Seth Mnookin

About the Program

Seth Mnookin looks at the fradulant 1998 study by British researcher Andrew Wakefield linking childhood vaccinations to autism.  The Wakefield report has led to a movement in the U.S. - fueled by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Jenny McCarthy - to stop vaccinating children, which Mr. Mnookin says is a troubling development.  Mr. Mnookin also argues that this focus on vaccinations has diverted money away from important autism research.  He spoke at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.     

About the Authors

Seth Mnookin

Seht Mnookin, a former senior writer at Newsweek, is currently a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.  He is the author of Hard News: The Scandals at The New York Times and Their Meaning for American Media.  For more information visit sethmnookin.com.


Buy the author's book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Program Information

The Panic Virus: A True Story of Medicine, Science, and Fear

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Past Airings

  • Saturday, March 19th at 2:45pm (ET)
  • Sunday, March 6th at 4am (ET)
  • Sunday, March 6th at 12am (ET)
  • Saturday, March 5th at 8pm (ET)
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