September 7, 2007
Needles
Doctors in China have discovered 26 sewing needles embedded in the body of a 31-year-old woman.From the BBC.They think they were inserted into Luo Cuifen's body when she was a baby by grandparents upset she was not a boy.
Some of these needles have penetrated vital organs, such as the lungs, liver and kidneys. One has even broken into three pieces in the woman's brain.
Posted by David on September 7, 2007 11:02 AM
That story is horrifying on so many levels. Poor lady.
Posted by: Brett on September 7, 2007 5:30 PM
Geezo man. Until I went to the link, I assumed this was an ancient grave that they had found and I went to go see how many centuries ago they were so barbaric. I can't believe this is modern!
Posted by: Skyler on September 7, 2007 8:12 PM
If ever there was a reason to question cultural relativism, this example is certainly a good candidate. But are we to be so shocked; realistically Chinese cultural has valued male children and female infants have had little or no "value" and even today, reprts of aborting females because they are female, are still heard. I recall how in rural provinces, in order to meet the central government targets for population control, female children are not even counted, and some may well be exposed. In a nation where it does not seem to matter if lead pains are used on children's toys, and where historically, women are less valued than men, is this report astonishing or more of the same.
Posted by: Donald Wolberg on September 9, 2007 12:09 PM