Our purpose here atRationalWiki includes:

1. Analyzing and refutingpseudoscience and theanti-science movement;
2. Documenting the full range ofcrank ideas;
3. Explorations ofauthoritarianism andfundamentalism;
4. Analysis and criticism of how these subjects are handled in themedia.

We welcome contributors, and encourage those who disagree with us toregister and engage inconstructive dialogue.

We have 8,056 articles for your enjoyment.

Chemical structure of thiomersal. The large, light grey atom is the dreaded "Hg".

On June 11, 2007, the US Court of Federal Claims opened hearings on what has been dubbed theautism omnibus trial. This omnibus trial stems from over 4,800 lawsuits filed by families claiming thatthiomersal contained in earlier vaccinations and the measles in the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine played a causal role in the development of autism in their children. The case concluded in February 2009, ruling that the plaintiffs who claimedMMR andthiomersal-containing vaccines caused autism were not entitled to compensation.

This article discusses many of the aspects of the cases as well as the evidence presented.

RationalWiki portal:

Seeour guide for newcomers!

A brief history of RationalWiki...

Sharehow you found RationalWiki!

For general chatter that doesn't fit anywhere else, theSaloon Bar is the place to go.

Essay portal:

Essays written by individual users covering a wide range of subjects. Comment on the talk pages or write your own.

Debate portal:

Informal debates covering political and philosophical issues. Participate freely or start your own.

Writing articles:

Read up onwhat a RationalWiki page is and ourcommunity standards.

Take a look at thehelp pages if you're having trouble.

We also keep a list ofuseful links.

Ourto do list is where we pile up ideas for articles. See if anything piques your interest