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In this weeks episode, we dive deep into the hidden world of the global fertility industry—from legal sperm and egg donation to the alarming rise of black market egg sales, illegal surrogacy, and human trafficking tied to reproductive exploitation.

What begins as a promise of helping families grow often spirals into an unregulated system where human eggs are sold illegally, surrogates are exploited, and vulnerable donors are targeted based on age, race, and economic status. We investigate how the high demand for donor eggs, international fertility tourism, and the commercialization of surrogacy have opened the door to ethical grey zones and outright criminal practices.

Stories from previous donors who went over the recommended donation amount, those who sold their eggs to make ends meet, human rights being exploited, and even someone who lost their life. This episode sheds light on the dark underbelly of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) industry. We’ll explore how loosely enforced regulations and global inequality have turned parts of the fertility world into a lucrative—and sometimes dangerous—market.

Resources:

https://www.arcfertility.com/patient-resources/understanding-the-cost-of-ivf/

https://www.phoenixspermbank.com/blog/take-become-sperm-donor/

https://thefertilityagency.com/blog/how-much-do-egg-donors-make

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/women-enslaved-in-georgia-for-human-egg-harvesting-by-chinese-gangsters-report-7665007

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/women-and-girls/the-dark-side-of-the-global-surrogacy-trade/

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-fertility-egg-trade/?srnd=undefined&leadSource=uverify%20wall

https://www.theworldeggandspermbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Importation-of-Eggs-from-Developing-Countries-Diana-Thomas-Opinion-Piece.pdf

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In this episode, we dive into everything you think you know about vaccines — and what the science actually says. From debunking the most common vaccine myths to breaking down the different types of vaccines (mRNA, live attenuated, inactivated, and more), we're setting the record straight. We also take a closer look at the infamous (and thoroughly debunked) study that falsely linked vaccines to autism — a study that sparked decades of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

If you've ever wondered how vaccines work, why they’re safe, or what really happened with that controversial autism study, this episode is for you. Tune in to get facts, not fear — and a little bit of snark — about one of medicine's greatest achievements.

RESOURCES:

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-what-is-vaccination

https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/types/index.html

https://www.hrsa.gov/vaccine-compensation

https://historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101/misconceptions-about-vaccines

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/herd-immunity-strength-numbers/

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/us-three-measles-related-deaths-hundreds-cases/3810494/

https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-safety/vaccines-and-other-conditions/autism

https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/vaccination-considerations/safety-and-effectiveness-data.html

https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/how-they-work.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fdifferent-vaccines%2Fhow-they-work.html

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In our final part to the Michael Swango story, we witness the unraveling of Michael's future as a physician in the United States that will eventually lead him to flee to Africa. The FBI is hot on his tail, waiting for their chance when he returns to US soil so justice can be served. But the only charges that have substance are fraud charges, will they be able to secure murder charges before it's too late?

If you are a fan of true crime, medical mysteries, and pyschological profiling, this third and final part of the series will keep you on edge.

References:

https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/features/2022/03/29/michael-swango-serial-killer-timeline/7190743hj001/

https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/lessons-worst-case-scenario/2004-03

https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.51.12.1578

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1118552/

https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/07/nyregion/prosecutors-say-doctor-killed-to-feel-a-thrill.html

Blind Eye: The Terrifying Story Of A Doctor Who Got Away With Murder by James Stewart

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In part two of our Michael Swango saga, we journey through the arrest, trial, and sentencing related to the poisoning of seven coworkers. We follow Michael as he desperately tries to avoid his past by running to Virginia and eventually South Dakota after his incarceration. His relationships are tested and failed. Soon Michael learns that despite his ability to adapt to his lies, he can't distort his reality forever.

If you are a fan of true crime, medical mysteries, and psychological profiling, this second part of the series will keep you on edge.

Resources:

https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/features/2022/03/29/michael-swango-serial-killer-timeline/7190743001/

https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/lessons-worst-case-scenario/2004-03

https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.51.12.1578

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1118552/

Blind Eye: The Terrifying Story Of A Doctor Who Got Away With Murder by James Stewart

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In this chilling episode of Under the Scrubs, we dive into the dark origin story of Dr. Michael Swango—one of the most notorious medical serial killers in American history. Long before he became known as a "Dr. Death," Swango's early life and time in medical school revealed disturbing warning signs that went ignored. Join us as we uncover how a promising young doctor began his descent into deception, malpractice, and murder.

We explore Swango’s background, red flags during his time as a medical student, and the shocking events that marked the beginning of his deadly career. If you're a fan of true crime, medical mysteries, and psychological profiling, this episode will keep you on edge.

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James Marion Sims is often called the "Father of Modern Gynecology," but his legacy is fraught with controversy. In this episode, we dive deep into the medical advancements he pioneered and the ethical debates surrounding his experiments on enslaved Black women without anesthesia. Was he a visionary surgeon, or do his methods overshadow his contributions? Join us as we explore the complex history of Sims, medical ethics, and the lasting impact on women’s healthcare.

Resources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0027968418302839

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11480236/

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/cancer-detectives-brief-history-speculum/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0310057X20966606

https://cpp-college.netlify.app/programs/education-blog/james-marion-sims-father-modern-gynecology-or-abuser

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/17/603163394/-father-of-gynecology-who-experimented-on-slaves-no-longer-on-pedestal-in-nyc

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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ketamine—a substance once known as a party drug that is now revolutionizing mental health treatment, pain management, and anesthesia. We explore how ketamine works in the brain, its use in treating depression, PTSD, and chronic pain, and the science behind ketamine-assisted therapy. From the ER to the clinic to the club scene, we break down the myths, risks, and groundbreaking potential of this powerful drug.

Tune in for a look at the future of psychedelic medicine. Is ketamine the next big breakthrough in psychiatry, or are there hidden dangers we need to address? Let’s find out!

Resources:

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Ketamine-2020.pdf

https://journals.lww.com/ejanaesthesiology/fulltext/2017/09000/history_of_anaesthesia__the_ketamine_story___past,.2.aspx

https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/81236

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4933765/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-treatment-resistant-depression-when-and-where-is-it-safe-202208092797

https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/what-does-ketamine-do-your-brain

https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/ketamines-promise-severe-depression-grows-major-questions-remain

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03156504?tab=results

https://www.unthsc.edu/newsroom/story/special-k-in-the-clubs-controlled-substance-ketamine-makes-its-way-into-nightlife-scenes/

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/ketamine.pdf

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/20/us/matthew-perry-death-5-charged/index.html

https://rehabsuk.com/blog/the-rise-of-ketamine-use-in-the-uk/

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In this episode, we explore the growing movement of unionizing in healthcare and how it’s transforming working conditions for nurses, doctors, and healthcare staff. We’ll dive into the benefits of unions, scare tactics used to ward off unionizing, the legal process of starting one, a few stories of those who were wrongfully terminated for unionizing, and how we can utilize our union to better the profession.

Whether you're a nurse, doctor, or healthcare professional, this episode will provide valuable insights into why union membership matters and how you can get involved in the movement to protect healthcare workers’ rights.

Don’t miss this essential conversation on healthcare unions and why organizing matters!

Resources:

https://www.nlrb.gov/guidance/key-reference-materials/national-labor-relations-act

https://www.nber.org/digest/jul10/evidence-effects-nurses-strikes

https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/fulltext/2015/05000/rn_fired_for_union_activity_wins_victory_in_ohio.9.aspx

https://inthesetimes.com/article/indiana-university-health-nurse-who-wanted-to-unionize-firedthen-un-fired

https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/about-california-safe-staffing-ratios

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9007864/

https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/what-employed-physicians-should-know-about-collective

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/months-after-strike-nurses-reach-contract-with-providence-everett/

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