A Harvard research lab's remarkable gift from a 6-year-old girl
A Harvard research lab's remarkable gift from a 6-year-old girl
When 90% of funding was cut to a Harvard medical research lab studying the regenerative qualities of salamanders, six-year-old Marianne Cullen, of Springfield, Mass., a fan of salamanders, stepped up to help. Steve Hartman reports on how one young donor lifted spirits as well as funds.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate based on the provided sources. The core claim about the 6-year-old donating to the Harvard lab is supported. There's a slight positive slant due to the heartwarming nature of the story, but it doesn't appear to significantly distort the facts.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: A Harvard medical research lab studying the regenerative qualities of salamanders had 90% of its funding cut.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms that 90% of funding was cut to a Harvard medical research lab.
- Verification Source #2: Implies funding was cut, leading to a 'dark time' for the lab.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: Six-year-old Marianne Cullen, of Springfield, Mass., donated to the lab.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms that a 6-year-old girl made a remarkable gift to the lab.
- Verification Source #2: Confirms a 6-year-old girl came to the rescue of Harvard researchers.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: The donation lifted spirits as well as funds.
- Verification Source #2: Quotes Whited saying, 'It definitely had a positive effect on everyone in the lab.'
- Assessment: Supported
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 1: 'HARTMAN: A Harvard research lab's remarkable gift from a 6-year-old girl. When 90% of funding was cut to a Harvard medical research lab...'
- Source 2: 'It was a dark time until the day a donor stepped forward. "It definitely had a positive effect on everyone in the lab," Whited said.'