Hear the Silence

doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7428.1411

BMJ 2003;327:1411 (13 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7428.1411

reviews

TV

Hear the Silence

A forthcoming drama about the MMR controversy has angered manydoctors. A general practitioner and two child health experts,who have all seen a preview, explain why

Channel 5, 15 December at 9 pm

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Hear the Silence is Channel 5's dramatisation of the case thatthe measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism.Gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield, whose 1998 paper ( Lancet 1998;351: 637[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]) first led to claims of a link between MMR andautism, is played by actor Hugh Bonneville. We see him introducehimself as the caring, listening doctor to Nicky (Jamie Martin),a little boy with autism, and his mother, Christine (JulietStevenson). "Hello, I'm Andy," he says. At his positive responseto Christine's conviction that MMR caused her son's bowel problemsand his autism, she bursts into tears. "You believe me?" shesays between sobs of joy and incredulity that she has at lastfound a doctor who endorses her claims. "Why wouldn't I believeyou?" asks Dr Wakefield.

This film presents the gospel according to St Andrew that isnow familiar from numerous newspaper and television . . . [Full text of this article]

Michael Fitzpatrick, general practitioner

London fitz@easynet.co.uk

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Relevant Articles

Review of Hear the Silence: Confusion has resulted from conflating two questions into one: Ed Cooper
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This article has been cited by other articles:

Johnson, C A (2004). Review of Hear the Silence: Public needs to know why adverse reactions to vaccines occur. BMJ 328: 51-51 [Full text]
Cooper, E. (2004). Review of Hear the Silence: Confusion has resulted from conflating two questions into one. BMJ 328: 50-51 [Full text]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

We have a duty of care to stop this programme: richard m lindley
bmj.com, 12 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Hear the Silence: Raymond W. Gallup
bmj.com, 12 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: We have a duty of care to stop this programme: M C Feliciello
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We DO NOT have a duty of care to stop this programme: L S Lewis
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Hear the silence: JK Anand
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Stop this programme? No: JK Anand
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Powerful anecdote: Neville W Goodman
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The Emperor's New Clothes?: Jenny L Robertson
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Wakefield's Lancet Paper: Michael J Fitzpatrick
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Hear the Silence: Lisa C Blakemore-Brown
bmj.com, 16 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: Powerful anecdote: Hannah Hutton
bmj.com, 16 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Autism and Toxic metals: Ellen C, G Grant
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Has Dr Fitzpatrick omitted some conflicts of interest?: Mark Davies
bmj.com, 23 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: Autism and Toxic metals: s m latta
bmj.com, 16 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: Wakefield's Lancet Paper: ELizabeth C Lucy-Jones
bmj.com, 23 Dec 2003 [Full text]
The hypocrisy of Michael Fitzpatrick: Nigel J Thomas
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Answer to Hannah Hutton: Neville W Goodman
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Clarification on one of the sources of evidence used in the televised debate: Tom Jefferson
bmj.com, 17 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Autism, epidemiology and toxic metals: Ellen C G Grant
bmj.com, 17 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: Hear the Silence: C S Anton
bmj.com, 17 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Reply to Jenny Robertson: Neville W Goodman
bmj.com, 17 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: Powerful anecdote: John Phillip Heptonstall
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Re: We have a duty of care to stop this programme: John P Heptonstall
bmj.com, 17 Dec 2003 [Full text]
degrees: Nottingham John
bmj.com, 18 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Time to End the Pharma-Cartel: Paul Lynch
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Re: Dr Fitzpatrick and the Lancet Paper: JK Anand
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I Am Glad "Hear the Silence" Was Aired: Paul Shapiro
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No naive belief: Neville W Goodman
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Re: No naive belief: Deborah Kahn
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MMR, Christening and Cake: William Pimm
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A question: Adam Jacobs
bmj.com, 23 Dec 2003 [Full text]
Re: MMR, Christening and Cake: L S Lewis
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Let's Beat Up on Dr Wakefield!: Paul Shapiro
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Christmas Quiz: Thomas Valentine
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Re: Answer to Hannah Hutton: Alan Challoner MA (Phil) MChS
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Re: Re: Answer to Hannah Hutton, Dr Challenor's letter: William Pimm
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Safety of MMR vaccine: mrudula a phadke, et al.
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Re: Re: Re: Answer to Hannah Hutton, Dr Challenor's letter: Alan Challoner MA (Phil) MChS
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To the Point - Tapestries of destruction: Lisa C Blakemore-Brown
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Re: To the Point - Tapestries of destruction: Alan Challoner MA (Phil) MChS
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MMR/Autism link IS REAL: Amelia Tyler
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Re: MMR/Autism link IS REAL: Louise K Sutcliffe
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