Dr Libby Weaver is one of Australia’s most accomplished and recognised nutritional biochemists and authors.
She’s regularly shared the stage with Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins and Dr. Oz and is a nine-times number one bestselling author.
But she has been forced to issue a heartfelt public apology and pull her latest book – What Am I Supposed to Eat? – from shelves after she caused offence with a term used to describe Down syndrome up until the mid-1900s.
“I’m here today to issue a public apology,” she said in a video posted to Facebook and her official website.
“In my latest book… I used a word to describe Down syndrome that I thought was a current, medically-used word.
“It has since been brought to my attention that it is a word used in a derogatory way.”
“I am mortified to have caused anyone any distress through my error, in particular children with Down syndrome and their families.”
Dr Weaver confirmed she had instructed her publishing company to immediately recall the book – thought to be around 20,000 copies – from sale and will arrange a reprint where the word will not appear.
In a passage advising pregnant women on what to eat, Dr Libby wrote consuming folate could “reduce the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, deformed limbs and mongolism”.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the term - coined in the 1860s - was used up until the 1960s, when a group of British scientists determined it was "misleading and derogatory".
Dr Weaver was reportedly notified that the term she had used in her latest book was derogatory by a mother of a child with Down syndrome.
Fans were quick to praise and thank the high-profile nutritional biochemist for her swift and sincere response to the controversy.
"As the mother of a little girl with Down Syndrome, I am in awe of you," one woman wrote on Facebook.
Listen: Some people fibbing about their food intolerances. The Mamamia Out Loud team discuss. Post continues after audio.
"The extent you have gone to with your correction and apology for such a small error, will make people realise that our loved ones with special needs are important.
"My daughter is a treasured gift for our family and it is nice to know that derogatory terms are no longer acceptable. It's fantastic that you care, and your heartfelt apology is accepted."
Another wrote: "Words matter, and although it was a mistake in this situation, don't let it overshadow your book accomplishments."
Dr Weaver has also offered a full refund for any customers who have already purchased the book.
Top Comments
I find this quite odd. It hasn't been used since the 60's, around 50 years, so presumably she hasn't grown up using this term. It's not like it's some rare condition, either, it's pretty well known - as Down Syndrome. I'm just really confused as to how this even happened.
It's amazing the terms that persist, even if it's just within a family. My grandpa would call where he worked a Sheltered Workshop as a dig at the people he worked with/bit of self depreciation, but most people my age have never heard the term.
I can only assume it's something like that hey.
Really? We used to use it in primary school in the 80's.
Didn't know the true meaning but was definitely meant as an insult.
May have something to do with the company she keeps?
" She’s regularly shared the stage with Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins and Dr. Oz"
Hardly something a health professional would consider a measure of credibility....
Me thinks a little copy and paste from an old source.
Poor thing, it was obviously an honest mistake and not meant in a derogatory way at all, although with editors etc it’s probably inexcusable that this wording was overlooked. Good on her for apologising and good on everybody who accepted her apology with grace.
Does make you wonder though, with how quickly terminologies change, just how easy it could be to offend someone.
For example, I was born with a condition called “Mongolian Blue Spots”, I wonder whether this is still the correct terminology?
Do you mean the birth mark on the lower back that looks like a bruise? I think it is called a mongol spot due to almost exclusively appearing on newborns of Asian descent (which is not to say they couldn't update the term, considering Mongolian is just one ethnicity of Asia)
I think the term "Mongolian" in this instance refers to the historical empire, rather than the country and includes parts of Africa etc.
Yup, you’re both pretty much spot on (pardon the pun) I just hadn’t looked it up since the days of medical books being...actual books lol.
Weirdly enough, I believe the spots used to have a different name and then WERE changed to be called “Mongolian”...I’m guessing the reason that the term hasn’t been changed again is due to the spots disappearing so early in life.