Intersex Identity Sparks Dialogue on Gender and Healthcare

Shawn K, a former software engineer with two decades of experience, faces an unprecedented job market after losing his $150,000-a-year position last April. According to Fortune, K has applied to over 800 jobs but secured less than ten interviews, a stark contrast to prior job hunts during previous economic downturns. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is being cited as a key factor in his prolonged unemployment, with companies increasingly opting for AI solutions to reduce labor costs. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei anticipates that AI will soon be capable of writing nearly all computer code, predicting that by September, AI could be responsible for 90% of coding tasks. This transformation is contributing to escalating layoffs in the tech sector, with over 150,000 tech workers losing jobs in 2024 and an additional 50,000 in 2025, as reported by Layoffs.fyi. Despite the hurdles, K remains optimistic about AI's potential, describing himself as an "AI maximalist." However, he criticizes companies for prioritizing cost-cutting over the enhanced productivity that could be gained through a combined human-AI workforce.

A 30-year-old pregnant woman, Adriana Smith, has been on life support for over three months following her declaration of brain death after a medical emergency in February. Her family reports that Smith's support is being sustained to allow her fetus to develop, in accordance with Georgia's strict anti-abortion law, which prohibits abortions after cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks of pregnancy. According to Smith's mother, April Newkirk, the decision to keep her on life support is complicated by the risk of removing the medical devices, which would likely result in the fetus's death. Smith is currently 21 weeks pregnant and the fetus has reportedly been diagnosed with fluid on the brain, raising concerns about its health prospects. Emory Healthcare, where Smith is being treated, stated they could not comment on individual cases but ensure compliance with Georgia's abortion laws in their medical practices. Advocates, including Monica Simpson of SisterSong, criticized the situation, arguing that Smith's family should have the power to make medical decisions regarding her care and lamenting the emotional toll the circumstances have imposed on them.

In a groundbreaking medical first, doctors in the United States have successfully treated an infant with a severe genetic disorder using custom gene-editing therapy. The child, referred to as KJ, was diagnosed with CPS1 deficiency, a rare condition that drastically impacts ammonia processing and affects approximately one in 1.3 million individuals. Experts estimate that around half of those afflicted do not survive past infancy. Specialists from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania developed the therapy after KJ's diagnosis, implementing the complex process within six months. KJ received his first infusion in February, followed by two additional doses in March and April. According to Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, a senior physician involved in the treatment, KJ is currently thriving and has experienced an increased dietary tolerance and reduced medication needs. Details of the treatment, which involves advanced base editing technology, were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. While the therapy shows promise, researchers emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring for KJ's long-term health outcomes.