Netflix and Cringe: Scientists and Physicians Respond to Goop on Netflix

This week is was announced that Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop would serve as the basis for a new show on Netflix. Paltrow would co-host the series, which promises to also "utilize experts, doctors, and researchers to examine issues relating to physical and spiritual wellness." Goop is the home of dubious unproven (not to mention expensive) products and advice columns claiming to enhance health and wellness. Paltrow and her company have previously been taken to task for promoting unfounded "treatments" such as crystal therapy, magic stickers, and "Jade Eggs."

Scientists and medical professionals did not take kindly to the announcement. Netflix recently raised its subscription price, and many people are miffed that this revenue is going to support pseudoscience.

Here is a small sampling of recent tweets written in response to the news:

Really? Goop on @Netflix? Are we out of qualified health professionals who provide #credible advice? I know popularity matters but maybe we can make real science popular instead?

— Natalia Stasenko, RD (@NataliaStasenko) February 5, 2019

A bleak development. I'm not naive. Money talks. But giving bunk a platform makes the battle for science more difficult. #StreamingThePostModernDarkAge

— Timothy Caulfield (@CaulfieldTim) February 5, 2019

And @netflix screws up, badly. https://t.co/ld5B8a0MPm

— David Gorski, MD, PhD (@gorskon) February 5, 2019

So more women will be "enlighten" about putting stones in their vaginas and other idiot stuff?!#Netflix #goop pic.twitter.com/MggkPNsEhd

— Dr Earth🌍🌎🌏 (@angelovalidiya) February 5, 2019

This sort of shit should be against the law. https://t.co/vskDcumWkC

— Dr Siouxsie Wiles (@SiouxsieW) February 5, 2019

There may be some help on the horizon for those concerned about the reckless dissemination of unfounded claims and outright falsehoods. OB/GYN and pain medicine physician, Dr. Jen Gunter, just wrapped production on a new show that promises to provide an antidote against Goop:

It’s ok, she can have her fantasy and fear mongering. I just finished shooting the first season of my fun, factual health show! It will be aspirational vs. authentic

— Jennifer Gunter (@DrJenGunter) February 4, 2019

Like it or not, Netflix is enabling the spread of Goop. As Goop oozes more into the mainstream, many argue that Netflix should be held accountable for spreading pseudoscientific nonsense that will, at best, have people wasting money, and at worst could be discouraging people from seeking medical care that actually works.

Contributed by: Bill Sullivan
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BILL SULLIVAN is the author of Pleased to Meet Me: How Genes, Germs, and the Environment Make Us Who We Are (coming August 6, 2019 from National Geographic Books). Sullivan is a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he studies genetics and infectious disease.