The Significance of the HONcode Principles
Quackwatch and its affiliated sites adhere to the HONcode principles of the Geneva-based Health On the Net Foundation. These principles have evolved from discussions with Webmasters and medical professionals in several countries. These principles are sound, but compliance is voluntary and some sites displaying the code contain untrustworthy information or link to other sites that contain unreliable information. To be certified by HON, a Web site must formally apply for registration. If accepted, it must subsequently comply with all the principles enumerated in the HONcode. When a non-compliant site is reported, HONcode officials ask that the logo be removed—and most sites comply. You can confirm that a site is registered by clicking on the HONcode seal, which should be linked to a registration status report …
Continue Reading >Who Funds Quackwatch?
Quackwatch is now maintained by the Center for Inquiry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to foster a secular society based on reason, science, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Some people wonder whether Quackwatch or my other activities are a “front” for the American Medical Association, the pharmaceutical industry, the “medical establishment,” food companies, or whomever else they might not like. Nearly every week I get e-mails accusing me of this—and worse. Quite frankly, the idea is preposterous. Neither I nor any authors of articles on this site have any conflicts of interest. I have no financial tie to any commercial or industrial organization. My viewpoints are not for hire. Even if they were, none of my imaginary funders would actually have a reason …
Continue Reading >Frequently Asked Questions about My Activities
What got you interested in fighting quackery? What promoted you to start the Quackwatch Web site? What qualifies you to write on so many topics? Do you yourself follow a healthy lifestyle? What are your goals? What is the status of your medical license? What would you do if you were told you were terminally ill? Additional information about me Additional information about Quackwatch How did you become interested in this subject? Did some experience make you bitter? Were you a victim of quackery yourself? I have never been seriously victimized in any way and am a very upbeat person. I grew up in a family atmosphere that placed great value on education, science, and fair play. My interest in quackery began by accident and …
Continue Reading >Free Newsletter: Consumer Health Digest
Consumer health encompasses all aspects of the marketplace related to the purchase of health products and services. Positively, it involves the facts and understanding that enable people to make wise choices. Negatively, it means avoiding unwise decisions based on deception, misinformation, or other factors. Consumer Health Digest is a weekly e-mail newsletter edited by William M. London, Ed.D., M.P.H, with help from Stephen Barrett, M.D. It summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; news reports; Web site evaluations; recommended and non-recommended books; research tips; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. It also calls attention to new articles on our Web sites. The chd Info Page tells how to subscribe. Please record your password so you can access your account later. To …
Continue Reading >Tips for Navigating Our Web Sites
Quackwatch and its many affiliated sites can be navigated by either browsing or searching. Their home pages list hundreds of major topics. New and significantly revised articles are are listed on the Recent Additions and Major Updates page. The list below enables browsing through lists of articles in major categories on several of the sites. Information on specific topics can be found with our search engine. Clicking on the duck logo or site name at the top of any interior page will send you to the home page for that site. Links from Quackwatch to other sites may break when pages are removed or change their URL. You may be able to find the page by searching our website. If the domain has been removed, …
Continue Reading >Frequently Asked Questions about Quackwatch
Who funds Quackwatch? Is everyone mentioned on Quackwatch a quack? Is lack of mention on Quackwatch a sign of legitimacy? How do you pick your topics? Are your articles peer-reviewed? Why are some article referenced and others not? How should we regard the fact that some articles were posted or last revised many years ago? Why have some topics been marked “to be posted” for a long time? Do you post the nastiest and most ignorant “Jeers” to make your critics look bad? How do you respond to accusations that your writing is unbalanced? Why do you say almost nothing about medical errors? Why don’t you permit comments to be directly posted? Do you believe there are any valid “alternative” treatments? Shouldn’t people be free …
Continue Reading >Nasty Comments from Quackwatch Visitors
Many people feel deeply offended when their beliefs are challenged. Here’s a selection of nasty e-mail comments I have received from such people during the past few years. Most were sent anonymously; the rest were edited remove identifying information. I find it interesting how people who disagree with something I write assume all sorts of evil things about my motivation, insult my intelligence, to call me nasty names, and/or wish bad things would happen to me. Religious themes are also common. Many writers appear to believe that my views are determined by financial considerations and/or controlled by outside entities such as drug companies or organized medicine. Many appear absolutely certain that their health-related beliefs are valid. Many just “scream” about me without specifying what (if …
Continue Reading >A Special Message to Cancer Patients Seeking “Alternative” Treatments
Don’t let desperation lead you to try things just because someone advises you to do so. Read the information on this web site thoroughly. We strongly recommend that you avoid any “alternative” cancer treatment discussed on Quackwatch. If you or someone you know investigate or pursue any such treatment, please share your experience with us. Your name and report will remain confidential. An Overview of “Alternative” Methods These articles explain how promoters of dubious treatments manipulate the emotions of desperate cancer patients and their families. Be Wary of “Alternative” Health Methods How Quackery Sells How Quackery Harms Cancer Patients 25 Ways to Spot Quackery “Health Freedom” How It Harms Cancer Patients More Ploys That May Fool You Why Strong Laws Are Needed to Protect Us …
Continue Reading >Quackwatch Mission Statement
Quackwatch is a network of Web sites and mailing lists developed by Stephen Barrett, M.D. and maintained by the Center for Inquiry (CFI). Their primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere. Dr. Barrett’s activities include: Investigating questionable claims Answering inquiries about products and services Advising quackery victims Distributing reliable publications Debunking pseudoscientific claims Reporting illegal marketing Improving the quality of health information on the Internet Attacking misleading advertising on the Internet Background History The Lehigh Valley Committee Against Health Fraud (Allentown, Pennsylvania) was founded by Dr. Stephen Barrett in 1969 and became a nonprofit corporation in 1970. In 1997, as the Internet developed, Dr. Barrett changed the corporation’s name to Quackwatch, Inc. and began developing a worldwide network …
Continue Reading >Cheers and Jeers from Quackwatch Visitors
Comments from Quackwatch Visitors Here’s a selection of e-mail comments received by Quackwatch. Although most of the comments we receive are favorable, this page contains a higher proportion of unfavorable ones because I think they are more instructive. Some have been edited to remove identifying information and, in some cases, to make them read a bit more smoothly. The links will take you to articles related to the comments. To return to this page, use the “back” command on your web browser. — Stephen Barrett, M.D. Go to Jeers ||| Go to Comments about the Jeers CheersFrom a desktop publisher in Bridgewater, Massachusetts: Great site. I mean REAL GREAT. I never knew such an expansive source of information existed in one place on the web. There’s so …
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