A few weeks ago I posted a few links surrounding the vaccines-cause-autism debate, including a link to an article quoting Sen. John McCain as saying there’s “strong evidence” that vaccines cause autism. I was peevish about his seeming “misunderstanding” of the state of the debate, but deep down I’ll admit I was a bit smug–those pesky Republicans, always getting the science wrong.

Well, okay, the other day I came across this post on one of my favorite science blogs, Bad Astronomy:

Obama, Clinton grossly misinformed on vaccines

Now, at the risk of splitting hairs here, neither Obama nor Clinton goes as far as to say there’s “strong evidence” for anything; they both call for more research into a possible link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders but stop short of claiming that there is a link. (How’s that for smooth sidestepping?) But still, it aggravates me. We don’t need more research on this, not really. There’s plenty. Showing no link. Our research dollars? They should be pointed in the direction of early detection, treatment, finding the real causes of these disorders.