my letter to the BBC

[novapsyche]

Dear Editors:

I regard the BBC highly as a standard for international news. I visit your website frequently, about five times a week. I especially enjoy the science & health news, as many stories are not covered here in the United States.

While reading your recent article "Placenta 'has key role' in determining pregnancy length" by Neil Bowdler, I was struck by some of the phrasing Mr. Bowdler used as description. For example, near the end of his article, he states, "Scientists have long seen the organ as a battleground where mother and child compete for nutrients." Later, he uses the term "war" when describing mice before turning to a more neutral term "contest" for humans.

As a feminist, I am alert to such use of language in stories regarding womens' issues such as pay rates and education--sometimes it is us vs. them. However, to see this connotation in the context of pregnancy, where the mother and child complement each other, is dismaying at best.

I hope that care is taken with each use of each word you and your journalists employ.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,