60 Minutes Season 38 Episode 6

60 Minutes Season 38 Episode 6 War Profiteers?; Surplus Embryos; Wounds of War

  • February 12, 2006

In season 38 episode 6 of 60 Minutes, viewers are presented with three distinct segments focusing on the consequences of war. The first segment takes an in-depth look at war profiteers - individuals and corporations who profit financially from conflicts around the world. The second segment examines the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding surplus embryos - frozen embryos left over from in vitro fertilization procedures. Finally, the third segment focuses on the mental and physical wounds of war that soldiers face long after their deployment has ended.

In the first segment, "War Profiteers," correspondent Scott Pelley investigates how some companies profit from human suffering by selling products and services to the military. Pelley speaks with military officials, experts in international arms trade, and witnesses firsthand how a for-profit company may take advantage of the US military for their own financial gain. Pelley also addresses the potential corruption and fraud that surrounds the awarding of government contracts and the incentives and lobbying of companies to promote war.

The second segment, "Surplus Embryos," explores the ethical and moral implications associated with surplus embryos, which are often created during in vitro fertilization procedures. Correspondent Lesley Stahl speaks with families and clinics looking for answers that do not exist for an embryo that has been frozen for years and looks at how embryo adoption agencies work to help surplus embryos become families without the need of in vitro fertilization.

In the final segment, "Wounds of War," correspondent Bill Whitaker travels to the Intrepid Spirit Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, where he speaks with soldiers who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Whitaker talks with leading experts in the field of traumatic brain injury research and treatment, who are tackling the most complex battlefield wounds through the use of unique and noninvasive methods.

Overall, this episode of 60 Minutes offers a comprehensive look at the devastating consequences of war, exploring the people and issues that are often overlooked amidst the chaos of conflict. From the quest for financial gain to the ethical dilemmas surrounding surplus embryos and the mental and physical toll of war on soldiers, this episode offers viewers a sobering look at the true costs of conflict.

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Description
  • First Aired
    February 12, 2006
  • Language
    English