Queen's University prof accused of teaching anti-vaccine "misinformation" in class
Former students say a Health Studies class at Queen's University is promoting anti-vaccine views based on shoddy science.
promises to "provide an understanding that many of the different elements you are exposed to through the course of a day could profoundly impact your physical health." Some students say the course actually promotes an "anti-vaccine" message. According to in-course slides that have leaked online, the professor openly questions the safety of vaccines and presents statistics that suggest a link between childhood vaccinations and later brain and immune dysfunction.
Isabelle Duchaine is the former Queen's student who leaked the slides. Here are some of her Tweets:
.@DougSaunders We should probably all follow the #QueensU prof's advice & use fresh garlic instead. It's anti-viral. pic.twitter.com/PU3agcbYq5-- Isabelle Duchaine (@iDuchaine) February 4, 2015
There are 60 slides, but I think the last one is my fave. Remember, it's all going to be on the test!!!1!! #QueensU pic.twitter.com/48vy2ucN7B-- Isabelle Duchaine (@iDuchaine) February 4, 2015
Published 1st draft of a storify on the #AntiVaxProf. Will continue to populate to keep discussion going! https://t.co/FXZFEogRCs-- Isabelle Duchaine (@iDuchaine) February 4, 2015
Duchaine says Professor Melody Torcolacci is teaching discredited theories and junk science. Duchaine tells As It Happens guest host Laura Lynch, "When you're coming into a classroom providing material based off blogs and YouTube lectures, I don't think that's appropriate at all."
We tried to contact professor Torcolacci by phone and email, but we did not receive a response. We also requested an interview with the administration at Queen's University, but we were told that the Provost did not have time to speak to us.
We did get the following statement from the university's Principal Daniel Woolf:
"I have asked the provost and vice-principal to work with Arts and Science to look into this matter and gather more information. The university is committed to the academic freedom of our faculty members; at the same time, the university expects that faculty members will present intellectually rigorous research and course material and that they will present available scientific evidence objectively and declare their biases."