The BBC reports that a German biologist, Stefan Lanka, offered 100,000 Euros to anyone who could prove that measles is a virus. A German doctor, David Barden, gathered evidence from medical studies an claimed his reward. A court found in Dr. Barden’s favor. Lanka, who is committed to the view that measles is a psychosomatic response to traumatic separations, has vowed to appeal. It’s not clear what Lanka was thinking. He may believe that no proof exists; or he may have believed that no court would be willing to conclude, as a matter of law, that the proof was adequate, and then he could shout to the rooftops that he has not been refuted.
If you would like to learn more about why Mr. Lanka does not believe in viruses, you might find this 20-year-old article on HIV of interest.
