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It turns out that NBC cannot be accused of sucking up to its boss because it alone led with the autism court case. Even though network executive Robert Wright is a major advocate for the disease, since the start of 2006 NBC has actually covered autism less (13 min v ABC 26, CBS 21) than its rivals. So NBC's decision to assign justice correspondent Pete Williams to the Federal Vaccine Court rather than the enemy combatant case was an aberration not part of a pattern.
The trial is a test case, the first in some 4,800 filed, seeking compensation for a claimed side-effect from the pediatric measles-mumps-rubella vaccine that may have damaged the infant brain of Michelle Cedillo, now aged twelve. CBS' Sharyl Attkisson explained the theory that a mercury preservative called thimerosal "weakened her immune system and kept her from fighting off the measles virus in the MMR shot." If the parents establish probable cause they are entitled to payment from a compensation fund. ABC's Lisa Stark (subscription required) outlined the downside: "If families prevail many worry it may convince other parents to forgo crucial childhood vaccinations." NBC's Williams noted that the drug companies halted using the mercury five years ago yet "the number of reported cases of autism in children continues to grow." NBC's in-house physician Nancy Snyderman delivered the bottom line for her activist boss at General Electric: "There really is no science to support it. It has really pitted advocates, in some ways, against the scientists."
Brain damage at the opposite end of the age scale attracted the attention of the in-house physicians at both CBS and NBC. A convention of Alzheimer's Disease researchers offered the news hook for a progress report on treatments and cures for the 5m demented elderly nationwide. NBC's Snyderman concentrated on the risk factors. Those most vulnerable are the elderly, first and foremost, and then diabetes patients, heart disease patients, "very skinny" people and teetotalers. CBS' Jon LaPook concentrated on the beta-amyloid protein that forms in the brain of patients. Clumps of the protein may cause the disease or may be its symptom--but scientists are developing drugs to treat it anyway. LaPook listed three approaches: stop the protein from forming, stop it from clumping, or boost the immune system to remove it. Eventually Alzheimer's may be treated as heart disease is, LaPook added, by "identifying those at risk and prescribing drugs and lifestyle changes to keep them healthy."
UPDATE: one week later, ABC covered the split within the founding family of the activist group Autism Speaks, which has raised $15m for research. John McKenzie noted that Robert Wright does not support the challenge to pediatric vaccines. His daughter Katie, whose son is autistic, publicized her disagreement with her father on the TV daytime talkshow Oprah. NBC did not mention its former executive's family feud, neither did CBS.
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