万花筒2008-03-30:怀孕的男人（在线收听）

Experts say a man's claim of pregnancy might not be impossible

The web page certainly grabs your attention, but could it be real? Could it be that this man, Thomas Beatie, is actually pregnant?  

Quite frankly, I think it's a hoax, I saw him just a few days ago, he didn't look like that. "Neighbours in otherwise quiet Bend Oregon may not believe it, but Beatie writes in the online maganzine "The Advocate" that there is an explanation: he is transgender, was born a woman and has had surgery to outwardly appear to be a man. In fact, this was Beatie eight years ago in Hawaii when he was still known as Tracy Lagondino, since then, a lot has changed, he says he kept his reproductive organs and after artificial insemination, he's now expecting a baby girl along with his wife, Nancy.  

The couple won't agree to talk just yet, though the Advocate's editors say" They have a reason to believe the story".  

"We asked Thomas to provide us the name of his doctor, we called her and she confirmed with us that Thomas is pregnant and that his pregnancy is proceeding as it should". Beatie writes in the article "Our situation sparks legal, political and social unknowns", he goes on to address one of the burning practical questions, "To Nancy, I am her husband carrying our child, I will be my daughter's father, and Nancy will be her mother. We will be a family. "  

Doctors say it is possible, "It is possible for a man like Thomas Beatie to be pregnant because he has a uterus. The pair's neighbours remain skeptical, "I couldn't say that he looks pregnant, I mean, I didn't stick my stomach out and almost make it look like that". They see the due day is July 3rd, and if it does work out and this man does give birth, the fireworks may just come early this year. For "Good Morning America" Neal Karlinsky, ABC News, Seattle.  

WORDS IN THE NEWS     

1. hoax : n-count

A hoax is a trick in which someone tells people a lie, for example that there is a bomb somewhere when there is not, or that a picture is genuine when it is not.

2. transgender : adj

Transgender people, such as transsexuals, do not have a straightforward gender identity.

3. outwardly : adj

You use outwardly to indicate the feelings or qualities that a person or situation may appear to have, rather than the ones that they actually have.

4. artificial insemination : n-uncount (人工授精)

Artificial insemination is a medical technique for making a woman pregnant by injecting previously stored sperm into her womb. Female animals can also be made pregnant by artificial insemination. The abbreviation AI is also used.

5. burning : adj

A burning issue or question is a very important or urgent one that people feel very strongly about.

eg: The burning question in this year's debate over the federal budget is: whose taxes should be raised?

6. uterus : n-count  (子宫)

The uterus of a woman or female mammal is her womb. (MEDICAL)