My Open Letter to Michael Lynton the Chairman & CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment

Dear Mr. Lynton,

Today I saw Julie & Julia. I really enjoyed it, but before it started I saw a preview for the movie 2012. It looked exciting. I would like to see it, but because it stars Amanda Peet I will not. I use to like her. In fact, I was one of the few people who watched Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip before it was canceled.

But I didn’t like how Ms. Peet inserted herself into the debate over whether vaccines cause autism. Ms. Peet, like everyone else, is entitled to her opinion; but speaking as a so called “parasite” I’d like to respectfully suggest that she has no place in this discussion. Speaking with a pediatrician even “every five minutes” doesn’t guarantee accurate information about autism or vaccines. Pediatricians, like other doctors, rely on the CDC (which has an inherent conflict of interest as it is responsible for both the promotion and safety of vaccines) for information relating to vaccines. And why even speak to Paul Offit about autism? Writing a book about something in which he has no expertise doesn’t make him an expert in autism. And Dr. Offit is by no means an unbiased observer in this discussion since he’s made millions in royalties from the Rotateq vaccine.

Autism affects at least 1 in 150 children. That's a lot of families. I am not implying that all of those families will choose not to see her movies or that all of those families believe that there is a link between vaccines and autism. However, a significant number of us do, perhaps as many as 2/3. Some of those families will join me in deciding never to watch one of her movies or TV shows again. I choose this not because I hate her, but because she only has the platform and power that the public gives her, and I choose to give her neither. As the mother of two boys who became autistic two weeks after routine vaccinations I ask you not to give her power or a platform either.