Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij
Encyclopedia
The Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij (English
: Association against Quackery
) is a Dutch
organization that investigates the claims of alternative medicine
and opposes quackery
. Ever since its foundation in 1881 the organization has published a magazine, currently titled Nederlands Tijdschrift tegen de Kwakzalverij. Since 2003 it annually hands out the Meester Kackadorisprijs, a mock award given to the person or organization that is deemed to have promoted quackery the most that year.
, depression, schizophrenia
and several other diseases through an unconventional treatment similar to chiropractic
health care. Sickesz pressed charges and in 2005 lost the case. In 2007, on appeal, she won. This brought the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij in financial troubles. The verdict was much criticized and national newspaper de Volkskrant
listed it as number one in their top ten of legal failures that year. The verdict was overturned in May 2009, but more legal procedures will follow.
Sylvia Millecam
died as a result of breast cancer
. She had refused conventional medical treatment, opting for alternative medicine instead. After her death the public prosecutor
pressed charges against two alternative health care providers and the self-proclaimed "healing medium" Jomanda
. The prosecutor dropped these charges after concluding that Millecam had made up her own mind about her treatment. At this point the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij together with Stichting Skepsis
took legal steps forcing the prosecutor to continue his case. This resulted in a 2009 verdict against the two alternative health care providers, but acquittal for Jomanda.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: Association against Quackery
Quackery
Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or...
) is a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
organization that investigates the claims of alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
and opposes quackery
Quackery
Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or...
. Ever since its foundation in 1881 the organization has published a magazine, currently titled Nederlands Tijdschrift tegen de Kwakzalverij. Since 2003 it annually hands out the Meester Kackadorisprijs, a mock award given to the person or organization that is deemed to have promoted quackery the most that year.
Early history
The organization was founded in 1881 and has published its magazine ever since. In these early years the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij played a part in the professionalization of medicine. Its efforts in the public debate helped to make the Netherlands one of the first countries with governmental drug regulation.Recent history
In 2000 the organization published a list of what it considered to be the "greatest quacks of the 20th century". This publication would later lead to legal and financial troubles (see below). In 2003 the organization began awarding the annual Meester Kackadorisprijs to discourage influential people from spreading quackery. This mock award frequently makes the national news.Mayita Sickesz
This aforementioned list of "greatest quacks of the 20th century" included Mayita Sickesz, a Dutch doctor who claims to be able to cure autismAutism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, depression, schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
and several other diseases through an unconventional treatment similar to chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
health care. Sickesz pressed charges and in 2005 lost the case. In 2007, on appeal, she won. This brought the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij in financial troubles. The verdict was much criticized and national newspaper de Volkskrant
De Volkskrant
de Volkskrant is a national daily Dutch morning newspaper, the leading centre-left broadsheet, although now in tabloid size.-History:...
listed it as number one in their top ten of legal failures that year. The verdict was overturned in May 2009, but more legal procedures will follow.
Sylvia Millecam
In 2001 Dutch celebrityCelebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
Sylvia Millecam
Sylvia Millecam
Sylvia Millecam was a Dutch actress and comedian. She was featured regularly on Dutch television, hosting several shows, appearing in nationwide distributed movies and releasing two albums.She died of breast cancer in 2001...
died as a result of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. She had refused conventional medical treatment, opting for alternative medicine instead. After her death the public prosecutor
Ministry of Justice (Netherlands)
The Ministry of Security and Justice is the Dutch ministry of justice. Until 14 October 2010, the ministry was just called Ministry of Justice , but at the start of the Rutte cabinet, the name changed because it had taken over some public safety duties from the Ministry of the Interior...
pressed charges against two alternative health care providers and the self-proclaimed "healing medium" Jomanda
Jomanda
Johanna Wilhelmina Petronella Damman, known under her nickname Jomanda , is a controversial Dutch New Age guru who refers to herself as the Lady of the light.- Background :...
. The prosecutor dropped these charges after concluding that Millecam had made up her own mind about her treatment. At this point the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij together with Stichting Skepsis
Stichting Skepsis
Stichting Skepsis is a Dutch organization dedicated to the promotion and practice of scientific skepticism. Since 1988 the organization publishes a journal titled Skepter twice a year...
took legal steps forcing the prosecutor to continue his case. This resulted in a 2009 verdict against the two alternative health care providers, but acquittal for Jomanda.