The impact of ‘bad’ science on judicial decision-making is a thorny aspect of the relationship between science and law. This study employs doctrinal and empirical analysis to explore two Italian judgments that asserted a causal link between childhood vaccines and autism. Using a combination of actor–network theory and legal pragmatism, we uncovered a network of actors and institutions internal and external to the legal system enabling these impactful decisions that went on to contribute to a crisis in vaccination coverage in Italy. These include trial strategies, resources, communication practices between arms of government, awareness and responsiveness of institutional actors, and institutional mechanisms governing the integration of scientific expertise into the legal process. By forensically analysing how a ‘zombie idea’ received a patent of legitimacy in the Italian context, this study provides useful lessons for legal systems grappling with complex and contested public health matters.

中文翻译：

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使“僵尸想法”合法化：儿童疫苗和自闭症——意大利对疫苗伤害的两个判断的复杂故事

“坏”科学对司法决策的影响是科学与法律关系的一个棘手方面。本研究采用理论和实证分析来探索意大利的两项判断，这些判断断言儿童疫苗与自闭症之间存在因果关系。结合行动者网络理论和法律实用主义，我们发现了法律体系内部和外部的行动者和机构网络，这些网络促成了这些有影响力的决定，这些决定最终导致了意大利疫苗接种覆盖率的危机。其中包括审判策略、资源、政府部门之间的沟通实践、机构参与者的意识和响应能力，以及管理将科学专业知识融入法律程序的体制机制。