IN THE TRENCHES AGAINST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
“For more than 130 years, the National Geographic Society has been at the forefront of combining science, exploration, and storytelling to better understand the world around us,” a fundraising letter begins. “National Geographic Society is determined to be the organization people around the world can turn to for information they can trust.” Its long and storied history well known, few people would doubt the Society’s sincerity when it describes its “passion for science.”
It was surprising, therefore, to learn that the National Geographic Society (NGS) has in the past decade published at least six books that, according to their covers, promote natural healing remedies, home remedies, and medicinal herbs, all of which “treat common ailments.” Do these publications align with the well-deserved, science-based reputation of the NGS?