PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Help / Feedback • Press Inquiries
Evaluate Science, Not Celebrity
  1. Signatures
    51 out of 100
  2. Created By
    Kristina Chew
    Jersey City, NJ
About this Petition Pledge Petition Updates
Why This Is Important

Not again, you think, on hearing of [insert name of celebrity] offering their views about autism or some other condition or scientific topic. Jerry Lewis (for instance) says that he is "speaking for" those with muscular dystrophy, but is he? Who's the real main attraction on his telethon? 

Numerous celebrities, from [name of comedian] to [name of shock talk radio host] have mentioned autism and, while they've been widely criticized for their views (which often reveal a complete lack of understanding of what autism is, and of any compassion for individuals on the spectrum and their families), they've simultaneously garnered quite a bit of press about themselves, and engaged the energies of many in the autism community---energies that would be more productively spent elsewhere. When celebrities talk about autism, pledge to keep the discussion focused not on them, but on science. There's too much bad science about autism out there already. Evaluate science, not celebrity.

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Evaluate Science, Not Celebrity

I pledge to...

Not again, you think, on hearing of [insert name of celebrity] offering their views about autism or some other condition or scientific topic. <a href='http://autism.change.org/blog/view/celebrities_awareness_and_why_jerry_lewis_shouldnt_win_that_award'>Jerry Lewis</a> (for instance) says that he is "speaking for" those with muscular dystrophy, but is he? Who's the real main attraction on his telethon?&nbsp;<br /><br />Numerous celebrities, from [name of comedian] to [name of shock talk radio host] have mentioned autism and, while they've been widely criticized for their views (which often reveal a complete lack of understanding of what autism is, and of any compassion for individuals on the spectrum and their families), they've simultaneously garnered quite a bit of press about themselves, and engaged the energies of many in the autism community---energies that would be more productively spent elsewhere. When celebrities talk about autism, pledge to keep the discussion focused not on them, but on science. There's too much <a href='http://autism.change.org/actions/view/say_no_to_bad_science_in_autism'>bad science</a> about autism out there <a href='http://autism.change.org/blog/view/causation_correlation_and_ice_cream_sundaes'>already</a>. <a href='http://autism.change.org/blog/view/evaluating_research_papers_studies_and_reports'>Evaluate</a> science, not celebrity.

[Your name]