Ep 11. Grave Injustice; Survival of the Friendliest; Comparative Oncology

In season 55 episode 11, "Grave Injustice; Survival of the Friendliest; Comparative Oncology," 60 Minutes presents three separate stories that focus on highly important issues of present times. The episode delivers a diverse mix of stories that range from a justice system failing Black Americans and people of color to understanding how friendly behavior is imperative for the survival of species, and finally, exploring the comparative oncology research that is helping fight cancer.

The first story, "Grave Injustice," investigates the disturbing case of a Black man, Levon Brooks, wrongfully convicted for killing a 3-year-old girl in Mississippi. Brooks spent 18 years in jail until DNA evidence revealed that he was not guilty. The report delves into the factors that led to his conviction, such as unreliable eyewitness testimony, police misconduct, and inadequate legal representation. The report shows how Brooks's life has been overturned since his tainted conviction and raises the question of whether his story is an anomaly or just one of many similar cases.

The second story, "Survival of the Friendliest," explores the role of friendliness in the evolution and survival of species. The report tells the story of a Russian scientist, Dr. Lyudmila Trut, who has domesticated foxes for 60 years, breeding them for friendliness. By only allowing the foxes who exhibited the highest levels of friendliness to reproduce, Dr. Trut hoped to form a bond between foxes and humans. The experiment proved successful, revealing that friendliness leads to unique physical changes in the animals. The report looks into how these physical changes are brought about by the body's production of oxytocin, the hormone also known as the "love hormone," which is released when humans bond with one another or with an animal. The story concludes with a discussion of how this research could impact humanity's relationship with animals.

The final story, "Comparative Oncology," looks at an emerging field in cancer research where scientists study pets, specifically dogs, who have cancer to learn how to treat people with the same illness. The report introduces various researchers who are studying comparative oncology, including Dr. Matthew Breen, a geneticist who is working on developing preventive measures for breeds that are predisposed to cancer. The report also showcases Dr. Chand Khanna, an oncologist who is conducting clinical trials for dogs afflicted with cancer, with the ultimate goal of translating his findings to human treatment. Through this research, scientists have discovered several similarities between human and dog cancers, and they are confident that the findings will help doctors discover new treatments and therapies.

Overall, the 60 Minutes season 55 episode 11 is incredibly informative and engaging. Each of the stories is well-researched and well-presented and gives viewers new insights into the topics discussed. The episode raises important questions surrounding racial injustice, the importance of friendliness in the survival of species, and how research on pets with cancer can help advance treatments for people.