Article Analysis: Food Allergies & Vaccinations

Food allergies are a condition that can potentially be fatal to people especially small children. In her article on the issue Beil & Fuller (2009), discuss the research that has been conducted on developing ways to overcome food allergies. Researchers have tried administering small amounts of the allergic food or the use of a vaccine to prevent the occurrence of the allergy. However, these attempts have not proven to be successful. While the article provides a comprehensive analysis of the research on curing allergies it does not focus as much on why allergies occur or on prevention.

Beil & Fuller (2009) briefly discuss how lack of exposure to bacteria or an individual’s diet can possibly be the cause of allergies. However the way in which our food is processed and developed has not been focused on. A comparison of the prevalence of food allergies over time would have been beneficial in providing a new perspective on the issue. If studies demonstrate that food allergies in individuals has increased in relationship to increased processing of the food we eat, a probable cause could be determined. Increased use of chemicals in the form of pesticides or chemicals to maintain the freshness of our food could contribute to the increased prevalence of food allergies

Santrock’s (2013) article on nutrition also demonstrates that the diet that is now being consumed is rife with processed food as parents are increasingly feeding their children junk food rather than fruits and vegetables. While his article focused mainly on nutrition the relationship between food allergies and what we feed our children needs to be analyzed. This would place some responsibility on parents to ensure that their children receive a balanced diet at an early age that may prevent food allergies from developing a tolerance by exposure. By presenting children with a diverse and healthy food palate allergies to foods such as peanuts or seafood may be prevented. 

Mooney’s (2009) article on vaccinations discusses a detrimental trend that has occurred in the topic on immunizing children against deadly diseases. The article focuses on the outcry of parents who believed that the condition of autism has been caused by a vaccination, specifically the MMR vaccination. This notion has been supported by many individuals who are public figures, such as celebrities or political figures, and have been able to have an influence on others. These figures have led movements and protests in an effort to encourage other parents to refuse vaccinations alongside them. In the article Mooney is able to provide the scientific evidence that has been found which determined why autism was not caused by immunizations. Mooney also demonstrates that despite this evidence parents continue to buy into the notion and refuse to vaccinate their children which can lead to the increased prevalence of certain diseases, such as measles.

The article is an important one that contributes to the dialogue of vaccinations and the link to autism spectrum disorders. The myth that was developed surrounding immunizations and autism not only increases the prevalence of fatal diseases, as parents leave their children exposed to deadly diseases, but also impacts autism. The belief that autism is caused by vaccinations can prevent studies from being conducted which may possibly further the research on the condition of autism. This myth also may prevent parents from seeking the therapeutic treatment their children need to improve a child’s behavior and condition who has autism. Mooney does a good job of discussing how it is understandable why parents want to believe that vaccinations cause autism as it provides them with a way to prevent autism from occurring to their child. This false sense of hope allows parents to have some sort of control over a difficult condition. The article demonstrates how the debate needs to shift from focusing on these inaccuracies to a discussion on real solutions. 

References

Beil, L., & Fuller, N. R. (2009). Little by little. Science News, 176(6), 20-23.

Mooney, C. (2009). Vaccination nation. Discover, 30(6), 58-75.

Santrock, J. (2013). Life-span development, 14th Edition. South University. Web. 27 June 2013