Vaccine Controversy: Medical Expert Confronts Zoho CEO Over Autism-Vaccination Claims

Zoho co-founder, Sridhar Vembu (L) and The Liver Doc (R).

New Delhi:

A heated exchange erupted between Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu and renowned hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (known as 'The Liver Doc') over childhood vaccination and autism. The confrontation began when Vembu shared a study suggesting vaccinations are a "dominant risk factor" for autism, prompting a strong rebuke from Dr. Philips who dismissed the research as lacking scientific credibility.

On Tuesday morning, Vembu, whose son has autism, shared a controversial study claiming a correlation between childhood vaccines and autism rates. In his social media post, he expressed concern about the number of vaccines administered to young children.

"Parents should take this analysis seriously. I believe there is increasing evidence that we are giving way too many vaccines to very young children. This is spreading in India too, and we are seeing a rapid increase in autism in India," Vembu wrote on his social media platform.

When questioned by users, Vembu clarified he isn't against vaccines entirely but questions the quantity administered to children in modern medical practice.

Dr. Philips responded forcefully, labeling Vembu a "boomer uncle" while urging the public not to abandon childhood vaccinations. He warned about the resurgence of preventable diseases like polio and measles that could endanger children's lives.

The Liver Doc thoroughly criticized the study shared by Vembu, stating: "The 'authors' who themselves are a bunch of antivaxxers, funded by an antivaxx organization, who published the study on their own antivaxx website. Not peer reviewed, not scrutinized. The low IQ authors have selectively amplified weaker associations while dismissing robust epidemiological data from millions showing no vaccine-autism link."

Dr. Philips countered with evidence from a Danish study, purportedly the largest on this subject, which found no association between childhood vaccines and 50 different health conditions, including autism.

The hepatologist didn't stop at scientific criticism but also derided Vembu's business ventures, including messaging app Arattai and Zoho email, advising the tech entrepreneur to "stay in your lane" and delete his post.

The exchange sparked a wider debate online. While many medical professionals supported Dr. Philips' scientific position, some criticized his tone and approach toward Vembu.

"That's so mean. Can't you convey a message respectfully?" commented one social media user.

Another wrote: "Did you secretly do a PHD in insulting people to the point where they'll be embarrassed to even open their pages, I'm wheezing."

Though Vembu didn't directly respond to Dr. Philips, he addressed the "stay in your lane" remark in subsequent posts, calling out what he perceived as arrogance.

"I urge intelligent doctors to debate this philosophy of medicine issue. I will not respond to the arrogant 'stay in your lane' types," Vembu stated.

This isn't the first clash between these two figures. In August last year, Vembu's advocacy for walking barefoot was criticized by Dr. Philips as "pseudoscience." Earlier in January, when Vembu promoted the therapeutic use of cow urine and dung, the doctor again condemned him for "endorsing ancient pseudoscience and outdated therapies."