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Quackwatch is a website operated by Quackwatch, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose stated purpose is to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies" and whose "primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere". Quackwatch is operated by Stephen Barrett, M.D., a retired psychiatrist and professional expert witness who founded it in 1969, with input from his board of advisors, and help from numerous volunteers.
Quackwatch reports that its activities include:
- Investigating questionable health claims
- Answering inquiries about medical products and services
- Advising "quackery victims"
- Distributing publications on medical information
- Reporting illegal marketing of medical methods and products
- Assisting or generating consumer-protection lawsuits
- Attacking misleading advertising on the Internet
The website contains essays on a variety of health-related therapies, labeled "quackery" by Quackwatch. The essays are not peer reviewed scientific papers, but are mainly written by Barrett or his 70+ member board of advisors (free to join from the website), for the non-specialist reader in a style not unlike Consumer Reports and other general readership publications. Quackwatch sets out to show therapies as "quackery" by presenting scientific evidence and arguments that support that conclusion. Barrett shows how some "quackery" therapies could be (and in some cases have been) dangerous. The site contains information about specific people who perform, market, and use "quackery" therapies, including some cases where they have been convicted of crimes, either for the quackery in question or for other things.
The site is part of a network of related sitessuch as Homeowatch (on homeopathic medicine), Credentialwatch[http://www.credentialwatch.org/ (devoted to exposing degree mills), Chirobase (specifically devoted to chiropractic), and others.
Critics
The site is a target for criticism and debate. The website — Quackpot Watch — is devoted entirely to criticizing the website, Dr. Barrett, and those who support the viewpoints presented on his website. Dr. Barrett has been involved in numerous law suits, some that have settled for, and some settled against him and his claims.
See also
- Quackpot Watch - Tim Bolen
External links
- Quackwatch (HON accredited site 875) - The website
- Credential Watch - Stephen Barrett, MD
- Homeowatch - Stephen Barrett, MD
"Quackwatch"