When I share that my son has hemophilia, I often encounter the same questions. “Is he descended from a Russian Czar?” Nope! “Will he outgrow it?” Definitely not. “Can you wrap him in bubble wrap?” While the idea has crossed my mind, I assure you that’s not a practical solution! However, no one has ever asked me, “Isn’t that a condition caused by incest?”
That changed after an episode of Network’s Secrets and Lies aired on March 16, featuring a character portrayed by David Adams, who remarked, “Hemophilia is the nasty byproduct of incest.” This shocking misinformation is something I never expected to hear, and I can’t help but wonder if Network is prepared to have a tough conversation with my son about his identity.
I understand that television networks chase ratings and profits, and writers often use creative liberties to advance their narratives. What I struggle to comprehend is why the writers would never dare to suggest, “Homosexuality is a nasty byproduct of incest” or “AIDS/HIV is a nasty byproduct of incest.” Such statements would incite outrage and protests, yet the writers of Secrets and Lies found it acceptable to perpetuate such a harmful and false stereotype about hemophilia.
Could it be that the writers assumed the general public might not recognize the misinformation because hemophilia is a rare genetic disorder, affecting about 1 in 5,000 males? Or perhaps they believed that with only 20,000 families affected nationwide, the bleeding disorders community wouldn’t have the platform to voice our outrage?
It’s also possible that the writers simply didn’t take the time to research. A quick search on Google reveals a wealth of information. Within moments, I found a clear definition of hemophilia from The Hemophilia Federation of America: “It mostly affects males as it is linked to the X chromosome. About 400 babies born in the U.S. each year are diagnosed with hemophilia, totaling around 20,000 individuals living with the condition in the U.S. alone. Hemophilia affects all races and socioeconomic groups equally, and those with access to treatment can have a normal life expectancy.”
If the writers are trying to imply something else, there’s no evidence suggesting incest as a cause for hemophilia. The misinformation in Secrets and Lies is not only damaging but also deeply offensive. I can’t speak for the writers’ intentions, but I can share the sentiments of a respected leader in the hemophilia community:
“It’s appalling that in our age, with an abundance of information available about hemophilia, Network would allow this to air. They need to correct this mistake in a significant way, as they have the chance to heal the wound inflicted on our community,” stated Laura Bennett, Co-facilitator of the Hemophilia Federation of America.
As of now, over 3,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org urging Network to issue a public video apology, and that number continues to rise, thanks to social media platforms. With March designated as Hemophilia Awareness Month, this presents a perfect opportunity for Network to acknowledge their misstep, apologize, and become a true ally to the thousands of families affected by bleeding disorders.
For those interested in learning more about bleeding disorders, I encourage you to explore resources like the Hemophilia Federation of America or The National Hemophilia Foundation. You might also find useful information on topics such as home insemination at this link, and if you’re exploring artificial insemination options, check out Cryobaby, a trusted source. Additionally, this page provides excellent insights into pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, Network must take responsibility for the harmful statements made about hemophilia in their programming. An apology would not only be a step towards healing but also an opportunity to educate the public on this important health issue.