ATHENS – Scientists at research institutions on the island of Crete are setting up an “Pseudoscience Observatory”, to debunk false scientific news and claims that influence and affect public opinion.

The Observatory is an initiative of Stefanos Trochanas, former director of University of Crete Editions and a recipient of an honorary doctorate, and another 20 scientists from the University of Crete, the Polytechnic of Crete and the Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas.

Explaining the initiative, the Observatory’s founding document noted that “wherever we look, we find that pseudo-science ‘sells’. It does this both metaphorically and actually: The anti-vaccination ‘movement’ has already reintroduced the threat of dangerous diseases and epidemics that up to now were considered controlled or extinct. The trade of hope with so-called alternative therapies of potentially fatal diseases has led to often avoidable tragedies, while at times it also excites mass hysteria.”

Using its blog, https://pseudoscience-observatory.blogspot.com/, the site is calling on scientists and members of the public to join the effort and contribute through their specialties.