Weekly Roundup: UN Reveals Home as Most Dangerous Place for Women
Missed some headlines? Here’s your quick digest of the week’s biggest stories.
Welcome to “While You Were Out”—the Verily editors’ concise recap of this week’s events.
Facebook’s Stock Plummets Amid Ethical Concerns
The social media giant Facebook has faced recent scrutiny, partly due to a nearly 40% stock decline since late July. The company’s push to make user data public has long conflicted with privacy expectations, and this year has driven up security spending. More recently, internal leadership disputes have cast doubt on the company’s ethical foundation.
According to The Wall Street Journal, “about a dozen senior or highly visible executives disclosed their resignations or left Facebook in 2018.” Last week, Bloomberg reported that a series of corporate scandals is hurting employee morale. The stock drop worries workers, but the conflict runs deeper. One anonymous employee remarked that management lacks a moral compass, especially regarding Russia’s misinformation campaign and Facebook’s partnership with Definers Public Affairs, a controversial firm known for smearing opponents.
Abortion Rate Hits Historic Low
A CDC report released last Friday shows that the U.S. abortion rate dropped 26% between 2006 and 2015, reaching what the report calls “historic lows for the period of analysis.” Rates rose steadily from 1969 until a peak in the 1980s, then declined consistently (except for a brief uptick from 2006 to 2008). The sharp decline through 2015 means the abortion rate is now the lowest since Roe v. Wade.
This trend isn’t new—similar headlines appeared in January and November 2016. While the CDC offers little interpretation, we can all take heart that fewer women are enduring the emotional and physical trauma of abortion. —Emily Lehman
Down Syndrome Community Seeks Endangered Species Status
Among those celebrating the abortion decline is the Down syndrome community, a group nearly eliminated in countries like Iceland due to abortion. People with Down syndrome are petitioning to become the first humans on the international Endangered Species List. The Canadian Down Syndrome Society launched a powerful campaign to highlight the extremely low birth rate for babies with Down syndrome and to encourage social media sharing of a petition. The campaign underscores the dramatic population decline and notes that animal welfare organizations receive 90% more funding and resources than Down syndrome groups in North America.
A compelling video titled “Endangered Syndrome” features individuals with Down syndrome dressed in animal costumes, pleading for the right to be born and for support equal to that given endangered animals. One young man says, “They make the world a more beautiful place,” followed by a young woman who adds, “And so do we.”
The group submitted a thoroughly researched application stating, “The existing Down syndrome community is shrinking and with the diminishing population, comes a correlated decrease in access to services such as education, housing, employment, as well as their overall quality of living.” The application cites startling facts: across Asia and Europe, Down syndrome births are 50% lower than projected, and over 65% of people with Down syndrome are unemployed. Comparing the rights and resources of endangered animals to this shrinking community of beautiful human beings is eye-opening. I hope this campaign raises awareness for the dignity and worth of every human life. —Madeleine Coyne
Victoria’s Secret CEO Steps Down
The CEO of Victoria’s Secret resigned after two years at L Brands Inc., the lingerie retailer’s parent company. Jan Singer’s departure follows backlash over the company’s tone-deaf business approach and comments by L Brand’s chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, to Vogue about model selection for the fashion show. The company has also faced criticism for lacking diversity and body positivity in its marketing and during the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which took place earlier this month and airs next week.
We can only hope Singer’s resignation wakes up the company, encouraging it to use its cultural influence to promote healthy self-worth and body positivity. Meanwhile, let’s continue to send a message to Victoria’s Secret by celebrating and supporting lingerie brands that empower women. —Gabriella Patti
First Gene-Edited Babies Born in China
This week, researcher He Jiankui announced the birth of the world’s first genetically edited babies in China. He claims to have edited the DNA of embryos for seven couples during fertility treatments, resulting in twin girls from one pregnancy. He studied genetics at Rice and Stanford Universities before opening a lab at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, stating his goal was to alter a gene to make the person immune to HIV in the future.
This research has not been confirmed or published in a journal, but peer scientists have raised ethical concerns, calling it “premature” and “an experiment on human beings that is not morally or ethically defensible.” Because genetic alterations of this kind are unprecedented, the resulting humans will face unknown risks. Moreover, the experiment failed to provide one twin with full HIV immunity, leaving her with the risks but no benefits, including a potentially higher risk of dying from diseases like the flu.
Other ethical issues include that participants may not have fully understood the study, which was billed as an “HIV vaccine” investigation. According to STAT News, “further pregnancy attempts are on hold until the safety of this one is analyzed and experts in the field weigh in, but participants were not told in advance that they might not have a chance to try what they signed up for once a ‘first’ was achieved.” While scientific advances can be extraordinary, one hopes this news prompts the scientific community to remember that just because experiments can be done doesn’t mean they should be—and that intentionally endangering human lives does not serve scientific progress. —Mary Rose Somarriba
Amanda Bynes Opens Up About Recovery
Former Nickelodeon star and teen actress Amanda Bynes spoke candidly about her struggles with drugs and body image in a recent Paper Magazine interview. Bynes starred in The Amanda Show and teen movies like What a Girl Wants and She’s the Man. In recent years, she became known for erratic tweets, drug use, and a DUI. She discussed her struggles and journey to get back on track at length.
Bynes explained that after years of body image issues and drug use, she has been sober for nearly four years and is now enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in California. “I’ve been through the worst and came out the other end and survived it,” she said. “So I just feel like it’s only up from here.” To Bynes and everyone with the courage to pick themselves up again, we’re rooting for you! —GP
UN Report: Home Is the Deadliest Place for Women
A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found that women worldwide face the greatest danger at home, with more than half of female homicide victims last year killed by a partner or relative.
The report’s release coincided with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Although the majority of homicide victims are men, female victims are more likely to be killed by someone they know—34% by an intimate partner and 24% by a relative.
It’s worth noting that researchers could not accurately report female deaths during wartime, and since violence against women often goes unreported, the numbers may be higher, making this report all the more critical. There is still much work to protect women and girls from all forms of violence. Shedding light on this global issue is a vital first step. —GP
Goodbye, Burger King! Horse Meat In Burgers Confirmed
Husband Sentenced to Life for Killing Family Now Faces Lawsuit
Lest we think such violence doesn’t occur in the U.S., Chris Watts of Colorado was sentenced earlier this month to life in prison without parole for murdering his pregnant wife and two young daughters. Many wanted the death penalty, but the murdered wife’s family requested otherwise, stating that while he chose to take their loved ones’ lives, they would not choose to take his. Though he never fully confessed, it’s widely believed he acted partly due to an ongoing affair with a coworker.
Now, weeks after sentencing, news outlets report that the victim’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. The family seeks relief for Shanann, Chris Watts’ former wife, and their two children, Bella and Celeste. Additionally, due to a Colorado law allowing a woman to sue for unlawful termination of a pregnancy, the lawsuit also seeks relief for Nico, the couple’s unborn child.
According to the lawsuit, “(The) defendant’s actions have caused plaintiff’s pain and suffering, emotional trauma and the loss of the society and companionship of Shanann, Bella and Celeste.” Their grief and horror are unimaginable, and while no legal measures can erase such deep-seated pain, this provides some measure of justice for the precious lives lost to senseless violence. —Mariel Lindsay
Phil Libin, the co-founder of Evernote, is backing an AI chat bot to help people report workplace abuse
Let’s End on a Positive Note
Peanut allergies have been on the rise and can be fatal, but medical professionals have long worked to combat severe effects. This past week, a newly developed drug that can counteract dangerous side effects was announced, set to become available in late 2019. One in 50 American children has a peanut allergy, and though deaths are rare, kids and parents live with constant anxiety about peanut traces in common foods.
The drug contains peanuts as part of an oral immunotherapy regimen that, for some sufferers, may gradually reduce peanut sensitivity by increasing exposure to peanut protein. It doesn’t cure the allergy but aims to lessen reactions to accidental exposure. This brings relief to many families who worry about their children accidentally consuming peanuts in public places. Some are asking financial questions: Will it be costly? Will insurance cover it? Given the high cost of life-saving Epi-Pens (which contain the cheap ingredient epinephrine), concern is warranted.
More details should emerge soon as the pharmaceutical industry works to make the drug available within the next year. For some allergy sufferers, immunotherapy may not work and could even be dangerous, so consulting a specialist is essential. But for those who qualify, this is hopeful news. —ML
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