The following article was first distributed in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR) Research Update, May 2, 2001. To receive research updates or to learn more about JVSR, visit www.jvsr.com.

by Matthew McCoy, D.C., editor, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research

Self-proclaimed "quackbuster" Dr. Stephen Barrett is getting media attention again and he wastes no time taking a stab at the chiropractic profession:

"Chiropractors too have felt Barrett's sting. While he sees benefits in chiropractic manipulation, he wonders about 'a whole profession based on an idea -- subluxations -- that isn't true.'"

This absurd quote can be found in Leon Jaroff's article titled: "The Man Who Loves to Bust Quacks" in the April 30, 2001 issue of Time magazine.

The article portrays Barrett as a hero, promotes his website (http://www.quackwatch.com) and contains this quote as well: "Twenty years ago, I had trouble getting my ideas through to the media, today I am the media."

We know the extent of Barrett's ignorance from the statement regarding subluxations and with the "I am the media" quote we now have some insight into the size of Barrett's ego.

Keep in mind that Barrett is on the Editorial Board of The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine and is a long time collaborator of Sam Homola. (http://www.jvsr.com/abstracts/nl_20010402.htm)

Prometheus Books, which publishes the alternative medicine journal, also published Homola's and Barrett's books.

Following this Update you will find a letter I wrote to the Editor of TIME Magazine regarding Barrett's statement. I encourage you to do the same. Stick to the facts, keep your emotions out of it and let them know that Barrett and his buddies are profoundly ignorant regarding this topic.

The Editorial addresses for Time is: letters@time.com daily@timeinc.net

Send a copy to both and forward a copy to me in case Time does not publish it and I will post it on the JVSR site.

For those of you who do not respond to Time and who do not subscribe to JVSR, I encourage you to make a simple contribution to the research that supports what you do in your practice day in and day out by subscribing to JVSR.