Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology: Quackwatch

Friday, February 21, 2025

Quackwatch

One goal of Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology is to provide readers with an understanding of the physics underlying biomedicine, so they can recognize and refute pseudoscientific ideas. For instance, in Chapter 9 of IPMB Russ Hobbie and I discuss the physics behind the discredited claim that weak, low frequency electromagnetic fields (ranging in frequency from 60 Hz powerline fields to cell phone radiowaves) are dangerous.

These days, with so much pseudoscience parading as fact, and with the United State’s Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services being a leading proponent of anti-science nonsense, what we need is something to point out and refute all this quackery. What we need is Quackwatch.org. According Quackwatch’s 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

For those of you who prefer social media, you can follow Quackwatch on Facebook and Twitter.

Are Electromagnetic Fields Making Me Ill? superimposed on the cover of Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology.

Quackwatch was established by Stephen Barrett, a retired medical doctor. These days he’s in his 90’s and deserves a rest after a lifetime of defending science. Unfortunately, there’s no rest for the weary; we need him now more than ever.

Five years ago, Quackwatch become part of the Center for Inquiry, another group that opposes pseudoscience malarkey and that publishes the Skeptical Inquirer magazine. I mention both Quackwatch and the Center for Inquiry in my book Are Electromagnetic Fields Making Me Ill?

Thank you Stephen Barrett for giving the world your wonderful website Quackwatch.org. I wish we all deserved it.