Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Sixth Extinction, New Food Labels, and Designer Babies
The world's sixth great extinction, border patrol brutality, "three-parent in vitro fertilization," Jesus in film, and more.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenThe Food and Drug Administration has had a busy week. For the first time in 20 years, the FDA is re-thinking the nutrition labels on food. It’s also looking into a procedure called “three-parent in vitro fertilization” that could help women carrying a genetic disorder have healthy babies. Elizabeth Kolbert talks with Madeleine about our world’s sixth great extinction: the one currently being caused by humans. We take a look at a new film depiction of Jesus - and the many other ways he has been portrayed on the screen. And we look into a report about border patrol brutality.
Banner image: Lyza
In this episode
5 storiesThe Politics of Portions
The White House is set to unveil new rules for food labeling today. It’s the first time in 20 years that we’ve seen significant changes to the way information is displayed on the food we buy. We look at what’s driving the changes -- from new nutritional information to politics and lobbying.
Read the story8 minMaking (Designer?) Babies with Three Parents
Medical advisers to the US Food & Drug Administration held hearings this week on whether to approve a controversial procedure called "three-parent in vitro fertilization.” The procedure is meant to help women with a genetic defect to have healthy babies.
Read the story8 minThe Sixth Extinction
The Earth has lived through 5 mass extinctions of animals and plants. The last one - 66 million years ago - took out the dinosaurs. That extinction is believed to have been caused by a giant asteroid smashing into the Earth. Now we are living through extinction number 6. And the cause is us. Human behavior.
Read the story10 minJesus on the Big Screen
The biblical story of Jesus has been told in films since the beginning of films themselves. It’s latest incarnation is called Son of God . It opens tomorrow, and church groups have already purchased over 500 thousand tickets for opening weekend. We talk with one of its producers, Roma Downey, who also plays Mary in the film.
Read the story15 minBorder Brutality
An internal Border Patrol report has found that agents shot and killed at least 19 people over the last 4 years. The report was completed a year ago, but federal agencies tried to keep it under wraps. Now it’s out...
Read the story7 min
