Globally, measles deaths are down 60 percent, from an estimated 873,000 deaths in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005. Africa has seen the most success, with annual measles deaths falling by 75 percent in just 5 years, from an estimated 506,000 to 126,000.[11]

Brian, Atlanta,

Autism is a fragile label.There are those whom were born autistic and those whom were not. Those that shout that their autistic kids were born autistic are correct that MMR was not a factor, but they cannot speak for those, whose normal children disintegrated after MMR.

Richard, Channel Islands,

It may also not be such a great idea to take your health tips from pharmaceutical industry lobby organisations.

John Stone, London , UK

I will never forget the mindless conceptions of the actress Charlize Theron, who foolishly suggested that the people of Cuba have more freedoms than those in the USA.
It is not the ignorance, but the constant pushing of the vapid upon others that is so truly tiresome. Stop the preaching.

William, NY, USA

If I am not mistaken, a certain scientist in the 70's predicted a coming ice age, and when candidate Al Gore proposed global warming, this same scientist joined Gore as the leading scientist on global warming. Interesting, a 180 turnaround to protect a grant (paycheck). What makes Gore a scientist?

John, Topeka , USA

Then why do you have to sign a waiver of liabilty for both the dr. and the Pharmicutal cos. when you immunize your child if they are so safe? I don't think it is wise to immunize newborn babies. I thought it was basically the mecury preservitive that was the cause of autism.

Anne, Richmond, USA

Apparently the celebs know about as much about nutrition and health as they do about world affairs, economics and politics.

Leroy, Brooklyn, usa

Charity, WA, USA: FYI, the mumps vaccine was developed im the late '40s and began being used in the '50s

Taylor, Florida,

According to the WHO, measles was still killing over 400,000 unvaccinated children per year as recently as 2000. Widespread immunization programs have dropped that number by 90%. MMR definitively saves childrens lives and prevents horrible birth defects. It does not cause autism which is genetic.

Mark, Dallas, USA

Current science is as good as the tools we have to measure it. That is always evolving-- todays science is tomorrows ignorance.
Those celebreties look pretty good so they must be doing something right even if it does go against drug industry profits!!!

angela, bryn mawr , usa

This scientist wants actors and actresses to read their lines, sing their tunes and after that to clam up. I am not interested in their quack ideas and theories on any subject. These folks lack advanced degrees, much less common sense. Ditto most laymen.

C. Ingold, Boston, MA

Measles is curable. Autism is not. Having one child with autism, I'll take my chances with measles with my third child.

Jules, Newport News, United States

Scientists are human with human failings - they can lie, cheat, bully, make mistakes like the rest of us. Never take anyone at face value; there is always an agenda. Check everything (as far as you can) yourself. Use your commonsense.

dhr, cardiff,

Millions, Catherine? Kids used to die of measles every now and then, not in their millions. If they did, people wouldn't object to the MMR vaccine so much.

Ross, lancaster, uk

Most actors are better off reading the words that "other" people put in their mouths.

Ray, Prague, CZ

What people are forgetting is how many MILLIONS of lives the MMR has saved. Measles kills(and damages unborn children through exposure,also Rubella) Autism has 'risen' dramatically because psychologists, teachers and indeed parents are getting much better at recognising it. It's always been there.

Catherine, London,

Being a 'quack' (single inverted), or however you wish to grammar it started with the professionals did it not? Do I recall (for example), one or two parents going to prison for shaking their babies to death based on expert 'quackery'? Break every bone in a babes body and it goes undiagnosed?

Mark, London, UK

Lots of opinions here. How many of you are scientists?

Jeff, Corona, USA

I think this goes to show that old saying, " A little knowledge is a bad thing!"

Jo, Kent, England

Sarah Howson of Chester: Perhaps you're not aware that women who have not been vaccinated against mumps and contract them have reduced risk of ovarian cancer. There ARE important immune functions of some childhood diseases. The mumps vaccine wasn't developed or used until the 70's, fyi.

Charity, WA, USA

Global warming is, in fact, disputed by many in the scientific community, from meteorologists to ocean specialists to astrophysicists. Whether or not mankind has any real impact on global warming, simply saying that it's not disputed is an outright falsehood.

Joe, Chicago, IL,

What's wrong with Delia's comment on sugar (she didnt mean f&V but ADDED sugar?) Tha'ts science. The Pill DOES increase risks of some cancers. Women get told that by DOCTORS. How much science stands the test of time? Some but definitely not all. The earth was flat, remember?

Jen, Sydney, Australia

Martin, you've hit the nail on the head! Clearly most people cannot differentiate between some pseudo scientific shock horror story in a tabloid comic and a real scientific peer reviewed study. Obviously the study is too difficult to digest so they just parrot the shock horror bit they can remember!

Dominc Oskis, Upminster, Essex

They have such great political advice as well, don't you think?

Gina Stephens, Willow Springs, USA

More dangerous is politicized science. Good science never arises when the conclusion is known a priori.

Rafael Espericueta, Bakersfield,

I have a four year old son who is autistic and I can tell you that the MMR vaccine had nothing to do with it. He was BORN THAT WAY and was showing signs of autism from the time he was a newborn.

Hollie, Caldwell, USA

Taking advise from any celebrity on any subject is a bad idea. What makes you think that they any more than you do? The louder they whine, the less they know.

Michael Gibson, Oskaloosa,

There are not thousands of scientists arguing both sides of the global warming issue regardless of what Fox News says. Based on evidence, the scientific community (I'm a scientist) overwhelming believes that humans have caused the atmosphere to warm. Celebrities have nothing to do with it

jim, thens,

These people are truly embarrassing. I'm not a doctor nor have I ever played one on TV but it seems as if the individuals who have the worst track record of life skills are cranking out loads of garbage with a compliant media.

Robb Nance, Lewisville, Texas

Celebs have access to more knowledgeable people than average joe. But they are petty, vain and self-promoters.
And a PhD/MD might be a subject area expert in.. whatever. You can't blindly trust his motivations as entirely selfless. (been in class with future MDs?) Read and consult those you trust!

howard, NYC, USA

A very interesting read is The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed On Women by medical journalist Barbara Seamans. Well footnoted and drawn from mainstream medical resources. This is one of many resources that show the known dangers of synthetic hormone treatments-including "the pill".

Phyllis Nelson, Baltic, CT, USA

Replace the word 'sugar' with 'high-fructose corn syrup' in this article and it becomes a complete lie. Tricky Tricky.

As well, there may be medical evidence that Mercury laden vaccines are safe, but there is not the coresponding scientific evidence. Science and Medicine are quite different.

jimster, Toronto, Ca

Does the same hold true for celebrity climate change alarmists?

JD, St. Louis, USA

Robert,

With respect to the MMR vaccine: the original "work" linking it with autism has been discredited. If I said that brussels sprouts cause autism, would you believe me? There is no body of evidence disproving the link because there was no link to start with!

Michelle, Glasgow,

Anyone who would take advice from a celebrity deserves their fate. However, I side with Mr's Obama and McCain on autism. Although the "experts" cannot prove a link between the MMR vaccine and autism (yet), they cannot disprove it either. The symptoms of mercury poisoning and autism are identical.

BB, Missoula, MT, USA

Much said to discredit opinions of those apparently not qualified. The critics, including the article's author, offer no credible reason why such conditions as autism have rocketed to current levels. And Wakefield is still in Court, questionable case, few witnesses. See www.cryshame.org. Compulsive.

Oliver Dowding, Wincanton,

Why would I take statements from people, most of whom are lacking in a university education and many (in America at least) who are even high school drop-outs, as fact? The topic doesn't even matter -- religion, politics, health. Just because they are rich doesn't mean they aren't ignorant!

Edith, Fresno, USA

Regarding the autism/vaccine controversy the author of this piece is either ill-informed or a shill for industry. There is in fact no "overwhelming body of scientific evidence" exonerating vaccines in the controversy - only a flawed "danish" study. And MMR and thimerosal are two separate issues.

Robert, Morgantown,

Remember when you were in high school and college? Who were the craziest kids? The ones in the drama department. I rest my case.

Evan, Shreveport,

I believe everything celebrities say because they are really smart.

John, Redondo Beach, USA

Nate of New Bern: this is so true. My docotor has always told me that the Pill has advantages and dangers, and prescribes check-ups accordingly (smear test, breast examinations, the odd blood test). Saying there is no cancer risk leads to complacency, late diagnoses and unnecessary deaths.

Helene, Strasbourg, France

The problem with vaccines is if you go and say you have had an adverse reaction your doctor laughs at you.


If you go to court it costs you tens of thopusands and the court laughs at you.

When you ask for money to support your sick child the state laughs at you.

Moral take your vaccines carefully

John Fryer, Paris, France

That is what happens when you have too much money, too much time on your hands, and too narrow a life. They are no authority on science, politics, relationships, or any other aspect of life.

Lani, Accra,

I never question the government or the pharmaceutical industry. They always have my best interests at heart and would never dare deceive or harm, me or my family.

Jason Homer, Los Osos,

Sugar, starch and high carbs disproportionately raise your insulin levels. Insulin is directly related to your body's propensity to store fat (depending on body type). So some of it is celebrity hype and some of it is not.

FBurrito, New Orleans, USA

As the grip of organised religion has faded from society the need to believe is as strong as ever. Unfortunately, in those lacking either intelligence or education, this need has been filled by anyone offering the "proof" that best matches their own personal prejudices.

Simon, Stoke-on-Trent,

If while they're at it they'd just quit making outlandish claims about global warming -- we really would be all right!

Jeff, Fayetteville, USA

Don't listen to celebrities about anything political either. They think just because they are famous, they are politically astute and knowledgeable.

Never trust anyone who pretends for a living!

Kath, Sacramento, CA

Delia Smith's statement that sugar is a cause of obesity is both substantiated and based in science. Her inference was that sweeteners (added sugars, not those naturally occurring in foods) are a major cause of obesity. Without glycerol (a biproduct of carbs), stored fat can't be created.

Harry, Manila,

Unfortunately ,there are many scientists who make a nonsense of science too!

wills, Southampton, UK

Celebrities know even less about climate science, and yet.....

Brian C., Salem, NH, USA

Some people will cash in on the pain of others. An increasing number of people are ignorant of science and belong in the Middle Ages. The dumbing down of America continues unabated.

Presidential candidates don't want to alienate anyone so are more than willing to listen to crackpot ideas.

Kurt, Davenport,

Of the people who have influence on society, celebrities and movie and TV stars are the most uninformed, uneducated, and ignorant people on the face of the earth. It amazes me that in this day and age, people still listen to them.

Melvin Carter, Manchester, England

As long as there is an endless pipeline of government grant money, we may never know the facts and truth about medicines and diseases. Earning a living sometimes takes primacy over finding the cure or the cause.

Thomas, Baltimore, USA

I would never take the advice of a celebrity on dieting or any health issue. These people become 'experts' overnight on anything that somebody wants and is willing to pay for. Look at how many of the so-called experts are witnesses in congressional hearings for liberal politicians.

Pedro Rutah, Charlotte, NC

The statement "science is a matter of opinion" is a dangerous fallacy that has been spread by the anti-climate change brigade. To see what science is really about, visit www.whyscience.co.uk

John Smith, London, England

I don't listen to my family physician for acting advice, why would I listen a celebrity for advice on health, politics, or anything else for that matter?

Kerry, Michigan , USA

"I'm also pretty sure that it is not a good idea to stab a little child with 6 shots of vaccines.."
Jon, Oslo, you are so right, why would we want to immunise our children? surely a dose of measles or mumps is character building? I mean a study of twelve must be more thourough than one of millions?

Sarah Howson, Chester, UK

celebreties are the virus of our society

Rochelle, newtownabbey,

When will celebs realize that it will be to their economic advantage to shut up already?

Kathy, Elburn, USA

Info on preservatives and vaccines -

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/immunizations/a/0608_vac_aditvs.htm

Victor, Coral Springs,FL,

As far as autism goes, I 100% believe there is a connection with the MMR vaccination. My 6 year old son ( who is autistic) was perfectly fine until he had that jab. He no longer was the happy smiling baby, he became withdrawn & silent and was later diagnosed as being autistic.

Gareth, Swansea, Wales

They are no smarter when it comes to their political choices.

Jeffrey , AZ, US

Taking medical advise from an actor is like taking ethical advise from a politician.

Yukiko, Chicago, USA

I'm pretty sure there is some truth to many of the theories. I know of experience in my family that anti-depressants don't work (often). What works is to learn to better control one's mind and actions. I'm also pretty sure that it is not a good idea to stab a little child with 6 shots of vaccines..

Jan, Oslo, Norway

Shucks, the celebs can't recommend nothing for you. They can't even underestand basic science. It's supposed to be unfashionable. In a word they're pretty little fruit cakes. Sweet, but dangerous if you eat too much.

john P. Smith, Valencia, USA

Looks like Tom Cruise was right according to the largest and most objective study by Hull University as reported by The BBC.ie:
"Anti-depressants' 'little effect' "
New generation anti-depressants have little clinical benefit for most patients, research suggests."
Celebs or shrink profiteers?

Tony Miller, Fresno, United States

The risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers is reduced with the use of oral contraceptives, but research HAS SHOWN an increased risk of developing breast, cervical, and liver cancer.

Reference the:
-National Cancer Institute

-American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Nate, New Bern,

I would not consult a celebrity on nutrition any more than I would ask a nutritionist about playing Shakespere.

Joe Rodolico, Taipei, Taiwan

Well, the problem is actually that science can often be a matter of opinion. Global warming arguments can be made on both sides by thousands of scientists, without anyone arriving on a consensus, despite what the media wants to lead people to believe.

Chris, San Diego, USA

The problem here is that many people, being entirely ignorant of science or the scientific method, believe that science is a matter of opinion, and that their opinion is as good as anyone else's.

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk