
The Scientific Controversy That’s Tearing Families Apart
from Good on Paper
by The Atlantic
Published: Tue Mar 11 2025
Show Notes
Shaken baby syndrome has been discredited, criticized, and even classified as “junk science” by a New Jersey judge, so why is it often being treated as settled fact in hospitals and courtrooms? The neuroscience researcher Cyrille Rossant was plunged headfirst into the controversy of shaken baby syndrome, now called “abusive head trauma,” when his child was believed to have been shaken by a nanny. After years of research, Rossant is now a leading voice among skeptics who say shaken baby syndrome isn’t backed by scientific proof.
Further reading:
ShakenBaby Syndrome: Investigating the Abusive Head Trauma Controversy, co-authored by Cyrille Rossant
“HowAntiscience Creates Confusion About the Diagnosis of Abusive Head Trauma,” by John Leventhal, et al.
“NoScience Supports the Diagnostic Methods for Abusive Head Trauma,” by Cyrille Rossant, et al.
“FalseConfessions: Causes, Consequences, and Implications for Reform,” by Saul Kassin
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