Amanda Peet says she's sorry - Sincere apology, or just damage control?
Categories: Health & safety, Life & style, Celeb parenting
After Amanda Peet made quite a stir in this month's Cookie magazine with her comparison of parent's who don't vaccinate their kids to "parasites" she offered an apology.
"I believe in my heart that my use of the word 'parasites' was mean and divisive," Peet writes. "I completely understand why it offended some parents, and in particular, parents of children with autism who feel that vaccines caused their illness. For this I am truly sorry. Since my mom has Parkinson's Disease, I know what it feels like to want a concrete cause, and a concrete cure, as soon as possible."
But she then proceeds to reiterate her stance: that the only way to go, is pro vaccine, and that anyone who thinks there is a link between autism and vaccines are misinformed.
Of course, she has a point, and some hard facts to back her up. But... a fear of an increased risk of autism isn't the only reason parents who don't vaccinate their kids, don't. And many parents who get lumped into the category of 'anti-vaccination' are actually just altering their child's vaccination schedule so as to avoid over-taxing of the immune system that occurs when multiple vaccinations are given at the same time. Yet Peet claims these parents are believers in a "fringe" theory--likening their beliefs to those who still claim that HIV is a government conspiracy.
What do you think of Amanda Peet's apology? Is it sincere or just damage control?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Stella 7-24-2008 @ 1:43PM
Damage control. The real question is: Should she need to appologize for stating her opinion? Clarify? Yes. Appoligize? I don't think so.
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Jack 7-30-2008 @ 11:33AM
As the parent of a 20 year old severely autistic boy, I disagree with her opinion. One of my biggest mistakes was vaccinating my son as early as I did. I wish I had waited until his system was more developed. But we didn't think of those things then, we always followed our pediatrician's advice for "best practice". I will forever believe the vaccine played a role in his autism. I have a University degree, I have studied autism extensively since it came into our family. In conjunction with our medical providers we have tried several other remedies - even petitioning the FDA to allow us to conduct our own blind studies with off-label applications of some drugs. So, if Ms. peet feels more qualified than I am to discuss this, that's fine. However, for those parents who DELAY vaccinations, I applaud you.
Priscilla 7-25-2008 @ 12:46AM
I agree. There is always three sides to every story. Just like there are pros and cons to vaccines. We as humans, who care, and we will and should continue to educate ourselves on this subject. Especially, if it directly effects us and our families. Peets response was bold and I'm sure it was not accepted well by many. There is such a thing as being graceful - even when speaking what one believes in. Anywho... much still to be learned and discussed.
jody 7-25-2008 @ 12:15AM
I agree. I actually understand why parents don't vaccinate their children, even though I vaccinated mine, but I respect that people should be allowed to state their opinions without fear of hurting someone's feelings. People are too sensitive these days. Even though I might not change my mind about something, It's good to hear good strong opinions on both sides of an issue. I don't want anyone ever bullying me into an apology to make them feel better. What happened to freedom of speech?
Dana 7-24-2008 @ 3:50PM
I do NOT support Amanda Pete at all. Its sad she isnt using her voice to do something proactive like raising the awareness of what is in vaccines or even the amount of chemicals they inject into small
babies! Its sad she is getting advice from her pedi that is partners
with Merck. He is using her as a puppet for him to get rich. I
understand if you are pro-vaccines but you say you dont use sun block on you baby and you only eat all organic but you will allow
thimerisol, aluminum, MSG and aborted fetus tissue to be injected into your baby!?!?!? She's a joke in my eyes!
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Abby 7-24-2008 @ 5:54PM
Of course it was damage control!!! She was probably "advised" to say sorry for stating her own opinion so as not to offend anymore people than she already did. Her statements in her initial interview boiled down to name calling for me. She should have been respectful towards differing opinion, but then again SHE IS GETTING PAID to say pro-vaccine statements. I just don't think the drug company that hired her chose the right person. Perhaps they should have thought to hire someone who would be able to handle press conferences with more class, rather than someone wanting to cause more conflict by name calling.
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frank 7-24-2008 @ 8:21PM
amanda peet is a joke. for her to come out and make a statement that negates freedom of choice when it comes to vaccinations is truly ridiculous. let's just call it nazi warfare.
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David 7-24-2008 @ 8:22PM
Of course "parasite" is the wrong word to use for parents who don't vaccinate their children. "Neglectful" and "abusive" are much more appropriate.
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JTM Conchy 7-28-2008 @ 4:32PM
David- I bet you
don't even have children and maybe your name really isn't
"David." Calling parents "abusive" is a cheap shot and
rude.
Dana 7-24-2008 @ 8:32PM
Six hours after having her first DPT vaccine my daughter quit breathing. Her pediatrician informed me it was an allergic reaction to the vaccine. If it had happened during the night when we were sleeping, she would not be here with us today. Parents need to be aware of the risks. If you read the information given to you, it states that in rare circumstances death occurs. If your child happens to be that one rare circumstance, that is one to many. My daughter did go on to get the vaccines, minus the pertussis she was allergic to.
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deb 7-27-2008 @ 5:15AM
I totally understand. The first vaccine my daughter got she became so sleepy and lathargic and did'nt want to nurse at all. Docs told me it is normal. Second round she had seisures that night ..again docs said it was unrelated, that she was getting sick. Luckily she didnt get autism or something else, but in my heart I KNOW that the vaccine was to blame. Mothers have a strong intuitive voice for a reason...we need to listen to it.
Deb 7-24-2008 @ 8:32PM
IMHO she has the right to her opinions just like anyone else. I am in healthcare and unfortunately do see the results of all the unvaccinated....and some of our immigrant population who bring in diseases we previously had under control...now we see the return of many diseases we had under control decades ago, so what she says DOES have validity. I also believe vaccination is important for our children.
It is POSSIBLE a few children have unusual/bad reactions to the vaccines..but that has yet to be proven. My heart goes out to all children and parents effected by autisim and chronic diseases. I am the mother of an ADHD child. We know not why he has this. Childhood trauma to the central nervous system from infection???? Perhaps.
Her comment regarding 'parasite' was unfortunate but I'm glad she apologized...she is young and perhaps overreacted like many of her generation do, eh?? :)
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andypage 7-25-2008 @ 3:29AM
Let me assure you, someone who works "in healthcare", that it has been proven, many thousands of times over, that vaccines DO cause serious injury and death. There is, in fact, a government fund that pays off parents that have children who have been injured and killed by vaccines. All you have to do is look at the warning sheet the doctor is required to give you that tells you, in very clear statistics, how many children will be harmed per 100,000 doses or whatever number the sheet has. There is an Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System (VAERS) so doctors can inform them when a child has an adverse reaction to a vaccine. All of this because vaccines have been PROVEN to cause harmful reactions. It is not a possibility that they will harm a child, it is a certainty. So consider yourself lucky every time you leave the clinic with your child and they don't have a serious reaction to their vaccine.
Kate 7-24-2008 @ 8:55PM
Hey David who thinks parents are "neglectful" and "abusive"....I've got a word to describe the parents who vaccinate just because of a one-size-fits-all schedule and not to what they feel their children are ready for....LEMMINGS.
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thinkingmom 8-05-2008 @ 12:35PM
To the person who said those who choose to just follow the norm and vax w/o giving it a 2nd thought being LEMMINGS..... I would say it is more like MISINFORMED CONFORMISTS. I have nothing against someone CHOOSING to vax AFTER they have gathered their information and actually put forth the effort and time to RESEARCH before injecting their child's body with a DISEASE and lots of CHEMICALS and a lot of other BIOLOGICAL ingredients. I am watching Ms. Peet on GMA and how dare her impose HER beliefs on ALL parents!
She just conforms to the socialistic mindset of Hollywood. I bet she can't wait for Obama to be prez so we can all be told by the govt how to run our medical lives since he wants the govt. to pay for all of it! What a mess THAT will be and yes I am currently UNINSURED and still don't want the government dictating my healthcare or paying for it!
Thomas 7-24-2008 @ 9:13PM
Will the real Doctor who is so smart that he know everything stand up. I am not a Doctor, but I know a few. The best advice is to find out what your child is allergic to and get an honest answer of what is in the vaccine. With all of the research that Merck and other drug companies claim they use their profits for should be able to come up with a safe vaccine. I would think that Merck wouldn't let a person so insensitive speak out with out some training from a Doctor.
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The Ween 7-24-2008 @ 9:23PM
You will see a comeback for some of these diseases because so many don't want to vaccinate now. It's already happening overseas and TB and measle cases are growing over here. Good luck to you who decided not to vaccinate.
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connie 7-24-2008 @ 10:09PM
I can't believe what an idiot Amanda Peet is...I would love a face off between this jerk and jenny mcCarthy who I love and find to be very intelligent. I think Jenny can teach Amanda a thing or two about the link of autism and vaccinations..she is trying to tell people that there should not be a cookie cutter formula on when to vaccinate our children. That spacing out the MMR shots until children are developmentally doing things like pointing, babbling, making eye contact, playing, referencing and trying to make language before giving the shots. I am a behaviorist working with children with autism for 13 years now, I've seen many things, especially after the vaccinations. Amanda Peet is fortunate her daughter is ok...perhaps she wont be so lucky on her next child...or someone close to her
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moe 7-25-2008 @ 12:10AM
Wow Connie the behaviorist...I believe what Amanda Peet said was mean but not erroneous. I have a disabled child , a physician husband , and we agree that there is no evidence that immunizations cause autism. That being said, I respect parents rights to believe that and and not immunize, they are at least doing the research to come to a solution for this disorder. But to EVER wish a disabled child on anyone , as if it were a curse offends me.It's way out of line.I hope I never have a reason to use your services . I hope you NEVER are blessed with a special needs child .
dk 7-24-2008 @ 10:16PM
This might be helpful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV2WVbXEFWY
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