More River Pollution, More Anger

In this episode of Newscast, the discussion revolves around alarming new data regarding pollution and sewage incidents in England's rivers and lakes. A recent report indicates a 60% rise in serious pollution incidents, sparking concern over the performance of water companies and regulatory bodies. Esme Stallard, alongside investigative journalist Joe Crowley, provides insight into the data's implications and critiques the existing water management framework, detailing how the system struggles with combined sewage and rainwater systems from the Victorian era and the regulatory failures that have allowed these issues to proliferate.

The episode elaborates on the complexities of the sewage system and the interaction between water companies, consumers, investors, and regulators, underlining a lack of accountability and transparency. The conversation shifts to a major government review examining the water industry's failures, with the anticipation of forthcoming recommendations that may include significant changes to regulatory practices.

In the second half, the episode features health and science correspondent James Gallagher, discussing a groundbreaking fertility treatment that has resulted in eight babies born with genetic material from three individuals. The procedure aims to prevent serious mitochondrial diseases by using eggs from two women and sperm from one man, which raises ethical questions around genetic engineering and the future possibilities of such treatments.