New ABC Show Accused of Distorting Facts and Harming Children.

'Cause you got have faith. Ooh, you got have faith... I saw this new show. I just can't believe that this show is being sued.

BLT:

From Supreme Court Reporter Tony Mauro:

Even before the new ABC lawyer show Eli Stone aired for the first time Thursday night, it was accused of distorting the facts and harming children. The American Academy of Pediatrics called on the network to cancel the opening episode because of its depiction of the controversy over whether a mercury-based preservative in childhood vaccines causes autism. The main character is a big firm lawyer whose view of the profession and the world suddenly changes, to the accompaniment of aneurysm-triggered hallucinations. He wins a $5.2 million jury verdict against a drug company of behalf of the family of an autistic child (never mind that his firm also represents the drug company).

“A television show that perpetuates the myth that vaccines cause autism is the height of reckless irresponsibility on the part of ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Co.,” said Dr. Renee Jenkins, president of the pediatric group. She said the show could lead parents to keep their children from being immunized, potentially exposing them to fatal diseases. As the show ended last night a disclaimer was shown, assuring viewers that the portrayal was fictional.

In real life, the link between vaccines and autism is being considered by special masters in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Information about the autism proceedings can be found at

this court site. We published a story about the litigation here last year.