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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYouTubers Are Advocating for Drinking Bleach to Cure Autism
In its quest to combat the scourge of fake news, big tech platforms like YouTube have vowed to crack down on inaccurate or harmful medical information, such as anti-vaccine content. Now, its reportedly setting its sights on content that advocates for drinking bleach to treat autism, reportedly removing hundreds of videos that promote it as a cure.
The idea that bleach can serve as a cure for autism was initially promoted by Jim Humble, a fringe religious group leader known for peddling a miracle substance called Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), which he claimed cured his malaria while he was working in South America. MMS consists of sodium chlorite and an acidic substance, such as lemon juice; when mixed together, the two form chlorine dioxide, which is most commonly used as an industrial bleach. In high doses, the substance has been known to cause nausea, vomiting, severe dehydration, and even kidney failure.
Although the FDA has issued numerous warnings about the effects of MMS (and although Humble himself has publicly admitted that the substance cures nothing), there are still numerous videos on YouTube of Humble promoting the substance as a cure for, among other things, autism, according to a Business Insider investigation; the report also found that the videos were easily accessible on the platform, coming up as a top result in searches for terms like autism and, in some cases, racking up millions of views.
There are also a number of private Facebook groups advocating for using MMS or other forms of sodium chlorite as a cure for autism. Such groups, which overlap a great deal with anti-vaccine content, contain shocking testimonials from mothers who administer these treatments to their autistic children, reporting horrifying adverse reactions; in one particularly appalling case, a mother of a six-year-old autistic boy was reportedly investigated by police after giving him a bleach enema, which led to him having his bowel removed and needing a colostomy bag.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/youtubers-are-advocating-for-drinking-bleach-to-cure-autism/ar-AABKtr3?li=BBnb4R7
eShirl
(18,503 posts)SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Unfortunately, Humble and his bleach "cures" have been around for a while.
From almost 6 years ago:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10023051319
Sid
jmowreader
(50,562 posts)Yvette dEntremont, the SciBabe (and a real scientist) wrote a post talking about parents who marvel that their autistic kids get so calm after receiving MMS by enema...Yvette believes its just because they dont want another goddamn bleach enema.
Treatment by threat of bodily harm...yeah buddy.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)Why the ever loving fuck would anyone think that bleach was a cure for autism? Was stupid on the agenda?
I get being desperate to help your child, but for shit's sake! Bleach!
Then there's the fucking mother who gave her child a bleach enema???? That's fucking child abuse. Period.
Just when I thought some people couldn't be bigger idiots and then I read this shit.
RockRaven
(15,003 posts)to take advantage of how the right wingers in America have rigged things so that as long as you claim to be Christian, and say what you're doing is related to your religion, the government lets you get away with stuff they would otherwise shut down immediately.
One more huckster getting away with harming people because of religious BS. People ask "what is the harm in people believing nonsense if they aren't hurting anyone?" and here it is -- demanding respect and nonintervention for their seemingly harmless nonsense enables unethical monsters like Humble and his acolytes who DO do harm.