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Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

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Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#231

Post by Biganon »

typewithrhythm wrote: post #115
ghurtado wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See, it's stories like this one that make me really question just how ethical it is to completely eliminate Down's from the gene pool. I understand it's the correct medical and scientific thing to do, it's just that it sometimes feels a little bit like eugenics for me.

Seeing a minute fraction of their existence is a rubbish way to make a judgement. Most of they bring to the world is random rage, unspeakable fluids, and unpleasant interactions. But I guess driving past safari style is fine.

What a terrible thing to say. You have a lot to learn about them.

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#232

Post by twixfel »

juujian wrote: post #5

This is interesting news, for the lack of a better word. I've met more than one person with downs syndrome. They have definitely enriched my life and shown me a different way of looking at the world.

Letting someone have Down’s when it’s avoidable just for the entertainment value is hardly moral.

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#233

Post by vanviegen »

samplatt wrote: post #146
mynameisvlad wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone that lives as multiple minorities, both visible and not, this is very much untrue. And that applies for many definitions of "normal". A person outside the "norm", in whatever category, is accepted far less than you claim. Sometimes it may not be visible or even intended, but it's there.

The whole world (not just America) has polarising hateful propaganda aggressively pushed at them for... oh about 2-3 generations now. There's a lot of people that have woken up to this and are loving and accepting, and sometimes it can feel like this is becoming the norm when you're able to surround yourself with that kind of person... but you're right. It isn't "the norm" it just normal enough for some lucky people.

> The whole world (not just America) has polarising hateful propaganda aggressively pushed at them for... oh about 2-3 generations now.

Could you please expand on that? I have no idea what you are talking about.

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#234

Post by wiseowise »

hilsdev wrote: post #75
creakingstairs wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it just me or do I feel like the society is way more accepting nowadays? I had to pretty much hide who I was during school due to fear of bullying/ not fitting in but most kids these days seem to be able to be themselves in many ways. I agree we can be friendlier though!

You’re right the world is a lot more accepting. No matter how much things improve and how positive the trajectory though, there will be someone online who tells us it’s not enough

> there will be someone online who tells us it’s not enough

And they would be right. And I say that as someone who’s hard anti-woke.

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#235

Post by jjcob »

vtbassmatt wrote: post #126
orbisvicis wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder if the elimination of all genotypes with Down's Syndrome would also result in a significant reduction in beneficial or benign genes. I've had smart pets. I've never had children. I sometimes envision smart pets as like an X-year old child with Y-year old trait, almost as a person with a disability. If a child can't achieve independence and a life of their own, why let all parties suffer through that ordea…

Why do you think people with Down syndrome can’t “achieve independence and a life of their own”? And what makes you think they, or their families, see their existence as suffering?

Most people with Down Syndrome require a huge support network to achieve anything resembling "independence".

Their parents (usually the mother) will end up spending all of their time to care for the kid. Other kids in the family will either be neglected or will have to help care for their disabled sibling.

When they leave home, they usually move to care facilities were multiple employees care for them.

Caring for people with Down Syndrome is a huge burden both on the individual and on society. It's something we do because we believe that everyone has a right to a fulfilled life, and because humans are generally compassionate creatures.

But if we have the choice, 95% of us chose not to have a baby with down syndrome.

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#236

Post by vanviegen »

stickfigure wrote: post #118
creakingstairs wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it just me or do I feel like the society is way more accepting nowadays? I had to pretty much hide who I was during school due to fear of bullying/ not fitting in but most kids these days seem to be able to be themselves in many ways. I agree we can be friendlier though!

I do think people - and especially kids - are generally nicer and more accepting than they were back in the 80s when I grew up. I wonder if this is related to the fairly dramatic drop in violent crime statistics we've been seeing over the last several decades?

There may be a connectedion to reductions in lead-poisoning. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93crime_hypothesi...

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#237

Post by iLoveOncall »

ghurtado wrote: post #99
puppycodes wrote: post #10

Interesting, I wonder what else this might lead too! Encouraging we might be getting somewhere. I used to live near a Down syndrome center where a bunch of folks lived and I remember this one lady who was kitted out with Britney Spears everything, lunchbox, t-shirt, hat, and headphones. Everyday I passed by the bus stop she would be dancing her heart out to a Britney track waiting for the bus and it made my world a l…

See, it's stories like this one that make me really question just how ethical it is to completely eliminate Down's from the gene pool. I understand it's the correct medical and scientific thing to do, it's just that it sometimes feels a little bit like eugenics for me.

I don't see how it is ethical AT ALL to let new children have Down syndrome when we have the ability to eliminate the gene.

If Nazis hadn't practiced eugenics it wouldn't have been shuned as it is today.

There's nothing wrong with eugenics in itself, just with how it's applied.

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#238

Post by kelseyfrog »

bluefirebrand wrote: post #227
WA wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Homosexuality is not genetic.

Interesting. Where do traits that aren't genetic come from then?

A variety of sources[1].

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4262890/

Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome

#239

Post by WA »

bluefirebrand wrote: post #227
WA wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Homosexuality is not genetic.

Interesting. Where do traits that aren't genetic come from then?

It's complicated. The most compelling theory is that several genes might have a bit of an influence paired with the hormonal conditions in the womb. Here's an overview:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetic_theories_of_homosex...

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