When I share that my son has hemophilia, I often encounter a familiar set of questions. “Is he related to a Russian Czar?” No. “Will he grow out of it?” No. “Can you bubble wrap him?” While that thought has crossed my mind, the answer is still no. Yet, I have never heard anyone ask, “Isn’t that a disease caused by incest?” Until now, thanks to a recent episode of ABC’s Secrets and Lies, where a character, played by Michael Beach, claimed that “Hemophilia is the nasty byproduct of incest.”
This statement is not only inaccurate but deeply harmful. It would be interesting to see ABC explain to my son that he is not a product of incest. I understand that television networks pursue big ratings to generate revenue and that writers often employ creative license to move their narratives forward. However, I struggle to comprehend why the writers found it acceptable to propagate such a damaging stereotype regarding hemophilia.
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where a writer would say, “Homosexuality is a nasty byproduct of incest,” or “AIDS/HIV is a nasty byproduct of incest.” Such statements would ignite outrage and protests. So why did Secrets and Lies choose to depict hemophilia in such a derogatory light?
Could it be that the writers assumed the general public might not be well-informed about this rare genetic bleeding disorder, which affects 1 in 5,000 male births? Or perhaps they thought the bleeding disorders community, comprising about 20,000 families nationwide, would lack the platforms to voice our objections to this egregious misrepresentation?
If they had taken just a few moments to research, they would have discovered that hemophilia is an X-linked condition that affects primarily males. The Hemophilia Federation of America defines it as follows: “It affects mostly males, as it is an X chromosome linked condition. Hemophilia affects 1 in 5,000 male births in the U.S., and approximately 400 babies are born with hemophilia each year. 400,000 people worldwide are living with hemophilia, with about 20,000 in the United States alone. All races and economic groups are affected equally. People with hemophilia who have access to factor replacement therapy can lead normal lives.”
Clearly, there is no mention of incest being a cause of hemophilia. The misinformation presented in ABC’s Secrets and Lies is not just misleading; it is dangerous. Jill Parker, a respected leader in the hemophilia community, expressed her dismay: “It’s appalling that in this day and age, with so much information available about the clinical definition of hemophilia and bleeding disorders, that ABC would allow this to happen. They need to rectify this error in a meaningful way.”
Currently, there are over 3,000 signatures on a Change.org petition calling for ABC to issue a public apology. The numbers are rapidly increasing, aided by social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. March is Hemophilia Awareness Month, and it would be an opportune moment for ABC to acknowledge their mistake, apologize, and become a supportive ally to families affected by bleeding disorders.
For more information about bleeding disorders, explore resources like the Hemophilia Federation of America or The National Hemophilia Foundation. If you’re interested in further reading about home insemination, check out our blog post on intracervical insemination. For more comprehensive insights into artificial insemination, including products like the Cryobaby at Home Insemination Kit, you’ll find expert advice on this topic. Additionally, for further resources on pregnancy, visit Medical News Today.
In summary, ABC’s portrayal of hemophilia is not only factually incorrect but also harmful to the understanding and acceptance of those living with this condition. We urge ABC to take responsibility and issue a public apology to the bleeding disorders community.