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Dancer Michaela DePrince, Women's Magazines, New Screening Tests for Babies

Presented by Jenni Murray. Dancer Michaela DePrince, women's magazines and new screening tests for babies.

Michaela DePrince was orphaned in Sierra Leone, adopted by American parents and is now a professional ballerina. Michaela talks about her life and how her dream to become a dancer came after a faded picture of a ballerina blew into her orphanage gates. After hearing an interview on Woman's Hour about the use of 'partial defence' in murder cases where adultery may have taken place, Hetti, a listener, contacted Woman's Hour about her friend, Joanna, who had been killed in 2010 by her estranged husband after a divorce battle. Hetti joins Jenni Murray to explain why she is calling for a Royal Commission on murder. We update on new screening tests given to babies, and look at women's magazines - with falling readerships who are increasingly turning to online, we get some magazine editors together to ask what is the future of women's magazines and what are they doing to survive?

Available now

54 minutes

Clip

Chapters

  • Michaela DePrince

    Duration: 09:28

  • Extra Screening Tests for Newborn Babies in England

    Duration: 04:39

  • The Future of Women’s Magazines

    Duration: 14:45

  • Domestic Homicide Cases, Murder to Manslaughter and the use of Partial Defence

    Duration: 09:04

Michaela DePrince

Michaela DePrince was orphaned in Sierra Leone, adopted by American parents and is now a professional ballerina. Michaela talks about her life and how her dream to become a dancer came after a faded picture blew into her orphanage gates.

Extra Screening Tests for Newborn Babies in England

Every baby born in England from 5th January is being offered screening for 4 additional rare genetic disorders. The early identification of these conditions can prevent death or premature disability, and significantly improve the quality of life for those living with these conditions. The test will be performed using the same blood test that babies currently have at 5 to 8 days old. This sample is already used to test for 5 conditions which form the NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell. Dr Anne Mackie, Director of Programmes for the NHS Screening Programmes, will join Jenni to talk about the significance of these new tests and how it will help parents manage their children’s conditions.

The Future of Women’s Magazines

Readerships of print magazines are falling in favour of digital and mobile editions. Is online a poor substitute for the real thing or is that view outdated? We get some magazine editors together to ask what is the future of women’s magazines and what are they doing to survive?

This programme also featured part of an interview with the magazine journalist Alice Head - part of the Woman's Hour Collection , classic interviews from the history of the programme

Domestic Homicide Cases, Murder to Manslaughter and the use of Partial Defence

Partial defence or an alleged reason to explain the actions of the perpetrator, can and has been used in cases of domestic homicide. Essentially it means that if successful the charge will be reduced from murder to manslaughter, with a corresponding shorter sentence. After hearing an interview about the use of partial defence in cases of adultery, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Chair of the Joanna Simpson Foundation, contacted Woman’s Hour about her friend, Joanna, who had been killed in 2010 by her estranged husband after a divorce battle. Hetti joins Jane Garvey to explain why a Royal Commission on murder needs to take place.

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterJenni Murray
ProducerCorinna Jones
Interviewed GuestMichaela DePrince
Interviewed GuestAnne Mackie
Interviewed GuestSue Peart
Interviewed GuestLorraine Candy
Interviewed GuestDebbi Evans
Interviewed GuestHetti Barkworth-Nanton
Interviewed GuestAlison Levitt

Broadcast

  • Wed 7 Jan 201510:00

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