In the article, the author weighs the the costs and benefits of vaccinating children. I am not going to talk about that, but rather the underlying distrust that I think is responsible for this controversy as well as the germination of many others. The distrust I am speaking of is our individual and collective distrust of our institutions and the people who work within them. This distrust seems to be why many of us simply don’t believe what we are told be these institutions and their spokespeople.
In the case of vaccination, a great many people apparently do not believe the medical establishment (i.e., professional groups, pharmaceutical companies, academics, etc.) when they tell us that vaccinations are safe for our children. The reasons for this disbelief vary. Some think the vaccines cause autism or other diseases while some believe that the mercury-laced thermisol used to preserve most vaccines is poisonous. Of course, others do not believe either of these things about vaccines. But this is really not about facts, it is about trust.
There are many reasons why distrust develops, but usually it involves the sharing of false information (e.g., lying) or the selective withholding of information. Since the general public is not trained in immunology or related disciplines, they are forced to rely (or not) on the advice of those who supposedly know the truth. However, sometimes the truth is not compatible with the economic interests of the “truth holders.” In the case of the medical establishment, everyone involved in it is making a good livelihood from the study, manufacture and administration of vaccines. In the case of large organizations, like the corporations who make these vaccines, huge profits are at stake as well. Thus, we see a possible conflict of interest between what may best for the individual medical services consumer and the people who benefit from the vaccine industry.
My point is this. Even when there may be strong evidence that vaccination is preferable to epidemic childhood disease, many will not believe the evidence because it is presented by those who we think benefit from their own advice. This public perception of the economic corruption of businesses, professionals and government officials is damaging our society in many ways. In this case, the lack of vaccination could cause serious epidemics. Conversely, if the truth holders are corrupted by the economic benefit of their advice, children could be permanently damaged or disabled by the vaccines themselves. Either way, people will suffer harm.
This social distrust is not limited to the vaccination debate. It pervades public discourse in many areas. For example, do we need more military weapons to counter the threat to our country and its citizens, or is it the vested interests who benefit from manufacture and sale of these items who are telling us this? Is global warming and climate change human caused as many believe, or is it part of a normal, long-term variations in our climate as those who own the fossil fuel industry tell us? Is it even possible to obtain credible, un-biased information from people who stand to gain from ignoring anything that threatens their continued profitability?
In this complex society which has evolved, we are increasingly dependent on “experts” to tell us what is going on and explain it to us in language we understand, no easy task. Unfortunately, these same people have a vested economic interest in presenting information in the way that is most favorable to them, and not necessarily to everyone else. On the other side of the coin, there are smaller, less funded individuals and organizations who present alternative information that contradicts what we hear from the corporations and government institutions. And yes, these contrarian views and their advocates also have an economic interest in their view points. However, there is one big difference – their economic interest is miniscule. The advocates who hold opposing views do not reap much in the way of economic benefit. In fact, the vast majority struggle simply to survive and continue their work. In addition, many of their viewpoints are oppressed by big media (also part of institutional structure) and some individuals are arrested, fined and jailed because of their beliefs. Big corporations and their brethren, on the other hand, reap enormous profits and support multitudes of people in very comfortable lifestyles.
The loss of trust is a steep price to pay. It means we no longer trust much of what we are told and even wonder if we know what we think we know. When distrust prevails, fear triumphs. Ultimately, we stop trusting everyone. And that is no way to live.