Vaccinations are one of the greatest achievements by modern medicine, but that does not mean they are the best thing for human evolution. I have read many blogs, read research papers, and have decided for this assignment to argue against vaccinations. This decision has nothing to do with the evidence put forth by popular media, bloggers, or scientific research. I believe that evidence supports the long term effectiveness of vaccinations (Aronson, Santosham, Comstock, Howard, Moulton, Harrison, 2004)(Crotty, Felgner, Davies, Glidewell, Villareal, Rafi, 2003). I found that the arguments made by bloggers against vaccinations are full of logical fallacies and misinformation ("Mommypotamus", 2013). There is also evidence to support that attempting to change the mind of someone who is against vaccinations by presenting logical, well informed arguments actually makes them more likely to forgo vaccinations (Nyhan, Reifler, Richey, Freed, 2014). My reasoning comes down to a belief system that puts what is best for the species ahead of what is best for an individual.
In the field of environmental science there is a concept known as overpopulation, which occurs when the number of a species can no longer be sustained by its environment. When this occurs the species suffers catastrophic losses due to a lack of resources (nutrition, living space, etc.), and the population numbers fall to a point at or below the sustainable level for the environment. Overpopulation is usually kept in check by predators, but since humans have developed weapons there are no natural predators. In environments where no natural predators occur, disease may play a role in limiting populations. Since humans have developed such excellent vaccinations and medicines, diseases are unable to significantly impact population levels. The human population continues to grow, and will eventually reach a point where there is not enough water for growing crops, proper sanitation, or manufacturing. Modern science will develop ways to postpone this for many years, but it is a future inevitability if the population increase continues at this rate. Eliminating vaccine distribution could help prevent this scenario from occurring.
Another approach is to look at this from an evolutionary standpoint. Adapting to change, including disease, is essential for a species to survive. Introducing vaccines to the population may be restricting our ability to adapt to naturally occurring diseases. A recurring argument is that no child should suffer from a preventable disease (Vara, 2013). This is a logical fallacy that appeals to emotion rather than an argument to support vaccinations. It is difficult to accept the idea of allowing a loved one to suffer, but when compared to the long term survivability of the species, an individual is relatively insignificant. If society moves toward an understanding and acceptance of this practice it may become much easier for the individual to cope.
The current popular opinion seems to be that vaccines lead to an increase in the quality of life for people around the world. I argue that they are only increasing the quantity of life for the current generation, and that eliminating vaccinations will increase our species’ natural resistance to disease which will improve the quality of life for all future generations.
References
Aronson, N., Santosham, M., Comstock, G., Howard, R., Moulton, L., & Harrison, L. (2004). Long-term efficacy of bcg vaccine in american indians and alaska natives a 60-year follow-up study. The Journal of the American Medical Association,291(17), 2086-2091. doi: 10.1001/jama.291.17.2086.
Crotty, S., Felgner, P., Davies, H., Glidewell, J., Villareal, L., & Rafi, A. (2003). Cutting edge: Long-term b-cell memory in humans after smallpox vaccination.The Journal of Immunology, 171(10), 4969-4973. Retrieved from http://www.jimmunol.org/content/171/10/4969.short
Nyhan, B., Reifler, J., Richey, S., & Freed, G. (2014). Effective messages in vaccine promotion: A randomized trial. American Academy of Pediatrics, 133(4), 1-10. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-2365
Mommypotamus, H. (2013, August 26). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.mommypotamus.com/should-parents-who-dont-vaccinate-be-prosecuted/
Vara, C. (2013). Victims of vaccine-preventable disease. Retrieved from http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/why/victims.cfm
In the field of environmental science there is a concept known as overpopulation, which occurs when the number of a species can no longer be sustained by its environment. When this occurs the species suffers catastrophic losses due to a lack of resources (nutrition, living space, etc.), and the population numbers fall to a point at or below the sustainable level for the environment. Overpopulation is usually kept in check by predators, but since humans have developed weapons there are no natural predators. In environments where no natural predators occur, disease may play a role in limiting populations. Since humans have developed such excellent vaccinations and medicines, diseases are unable to significantly impact population levels. The human population continues to grow, and will eventually reach a point where there is not enough water for growing crops, proper sanitation, or manufacturing. Modern science will develop ways to postpone this for many years, but it is a future inevitability if the population increase continues at this rate. Eliminating vaccine distribution could help prevent this scenario from occurring.
Another approach is to look at this from an evolutionary standpoint. Adapting to change, including disease, is essential for a species to survive. Introducing vaccines to the population may be restricting our ability to adapt to naturally occurring diseases. A recurring argument is that no child should suffer from a preventable disease (Vara, 2013). This is a logical fallacy that appeals to emotion rather than an argument to support vaccinations. It is difficult to accept the idea of allowing a loved one to suffer, but when compared to the long term survivability of the species, an individual is relatively insignificant. If society moves toward an understanding and acceptance of this practice it may become much easier for the individual to cope.
The current popular opinion seems to be that vaccines lead to an increase in the quality of life for people around the world. I argue that they are only increasing the quantity of life for the current generation, and that eliminating vaccinations will increase our species’ natural resistance to disease which will improve the quality of life for all future generations.
References
Aronson, N., Santosham, M., Comstock, G., Howard, R., Moulton, L., & Harrison, L. (2004). Long-term efficacy of bcg vaccine in american indians and alaska natives a 60-year follow-up study. The Journal of the American Medical Association,291(17), 2086-2091. doi: 10.1001/jama.291.17.2086.
Crotty, S., Felgner, P., Davies, H., Glidewell, J., Villareal, L., & Rafi, A. (2003). Cutting edge: Long-term b-cell memory in humans after smallpox vaccination.The Journal of Immunology, 171(10), 4969-4973. Retrieved from http://www.jimmunol.org/content/171/10/4969.short
Nyhan, B., Reifler, J., Richey, S., & Freed, G. (2014). Effective messages in vaccine promotion: A randomized trial. American Academy of Pediatrics, 133(4), 1-10. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-2365
Mommypotamus, H. (2013, August 26). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.mommypotamus.com/should-parents-who-dont-vaccinate-be-prosecuted/
Vara, C. (2013). Victims of vaccine-preventable disease. Retrieved from http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/why/victims.cfm
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