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Story:
Lawsuit Alleges Vaccine Caused Autism in Children, 06/20/07
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What are many parents of autistic children blaming their children's disabilities on and what are they doing about it?
2. What kind of courtroom is handling the lawsuits? How is it different from a regular court?
3. What is autism?
4. Why do many parents believe vaccines caused their children to develop autism?
5. Why do many scientists and pediatricians insist vaccines do not cause autism?
6. What do those same scientists and pediatricians believe is responsible for the rise in autism diagnoses?
7. What is a possible outcome to the lawsuit? Why does the parents' case have a chance to succeed in the "vaccine court?"
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Although there is no scientific proof that vaccines cause autism, why might so many parents be convinced that vaccines are to blame? What role, if any, might emotions and personal experiences play? 2. Why do scientists and pediatricians defend the need for childhood vaccines? What might happen if schools and communities made vaccination optional? 3. If you were the judge, would you side with the parents who believe the increase in autism diagnoses is a direct result of vaccines, or with the medical community which believes a lack of concrete evidence renders the parents' theory invalid? 4. Research other cases that have taken place in the vaccine court (a branch of the Federal Court of Claims). Why does the U.S. government feel a need to protect the vaccine industry? What other cases have been brought to the court?
Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |