I agree with the thought that modern medicine treats symptoms rather than cause of disease in the majority of cases. People in Western society tend to be over-medicated, particularly as we grow older. When people are unhappy, doctors give them a pill. This approach really does nothing to get to the root cause.
While I am concerned about additives being put in vaccines, it seems clear to me that vaccines actually have helped stop the spread of certain diseases that were far more widespread before people were vaccinated for them. I certainly don't advocate calling child protective services or putting people in jail for not vaccinating. However, when people stop vaccinating, diseases such as measles and mumps start making a resurgence.
It seems to me that taking an all or nothing approach isn't the answer. We need to examine what problems there may be with our current system of vaccination. Nonetheless, it seems clear that vaccinations have helped control certain diseases.
Personally, I'm not going to take the chance that I might get a disease such as tetanus or polio. In my line of work, we also have to get the flu shot every year. That one is a bit more of a crap shoot as to whether it will be effective or not, as the flu mutates.
I see the anti vaccine movement as taking the "throw the baby out with the bath water" approach. Certainly we should examine the current system to see where improvements could be made. However, I would not want to go back to a world where diseases such as measles and mumps were rampant. A balanced approach is best.
~Adam~
