The Distortions

"When people start spinning science you have to respond. Journalism used to handle this, but not anymore. So it's bounced back to become the responsibility of the people doing the research."
--Dr. Kyle Pruett, professor of child psychiatry, the Yale University School of Medicine

For years, Focus on the Family and other right wing groups stayed out of trouble by quoting disreputable or pseudoscientific sources. For example, they used to rely on the now discredited Dr. Paul Cameron, who was dropped from the American Psychological Association for his shoddy and anti-gay work, such as claiming mosquitoes spread AIDS and gay people should be exterminated.

Right wing groups still quote or sponsor poorly credentialed researchers, such as Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, former President of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). Nicolosi recently stepped aside after a member of his "Scientific Advisory Board" penned an article for NARTH's website that justified slavery.

However, with these fake or discredited scientists proving to be an embarrassment, the right wing sought a new tactic. It would try to bolster its shaky credentials by co-opting the work of renowned researchers, professors and authors. To counter this effort, Truth Wins Out recently began informing researchers when their work had been twisted, distorted, cherry-picked or taken out of context. Vigilance is crucial because right wing organizations often do not have the courtesy of contacting scientists before misquoting their
studies.

Fortunately, the academic establishment has begun to fight back and demand that their hard work not be repackaged and manipulated for political gain. The following are specific examples of how Focus on the Family has distorted research and misled the public.

Dr. Carol Gilligan
Professor of education and law at New York University and author of In a Different Voice
(See Video and Letter)

Dr. Kyle Pruett
Professor of child psychiatry, the Yale University School of Medicine, and author of
Fatherneed: Why Father Care Is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child
(See Video and Letter)

Dr. Robert Spitzer
Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University
(See Video and Letter)

Angela Phillips
Professor, Goldsmiths College in London, and Author of "The Trouble With Boys"
(See Letter)

Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc
Associate professor, school of nursing, University of British Columbia
(See Letter)

Dr. Judith Stacy
Professor of sociology, New York University
(See News)