Can we remove the down side but keep the joy?
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Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
241–250 of 520 posts
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#242Interesting, 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…
That kind of joy, personality, and presence is somethin5g you can't quantify in a lab. Whatever this research leads to, I hope it's always guided by compassion
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#243Earlier 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?
Lead-free petrol helped.
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#244Interesting, 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…
> 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 little brighter. As someone who absolutely loves to "be weird", I often wish the world was so much friendlier to folks like this (other than in a token manner).
There's something genuinely beautiful about people who live with that kind of unfiltered joy
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#245It was well on its way to being eliminated in much of the First World through screening during pregnancy at around 2-3 months. Alot of mothers were electing to terminate the pregnancy and perhaps try again. Especially much of Europe which didn't quite have the moral objections against abortion that the US does, save for a few countries who still have substantial observant Catholics such as Ireland and Poland. Here's…
On one hand, parents are making personal choices based on the information available to them... on the other, when nearly an entire population starts selecting against a certain condition, it starts to feel less like individual choice and more like a societal value judgment.
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#246Earlier quoted context omitted.
Five out of six ain’t bad. Though, if my man boobs get a bit bigger…
As long as you can pay for it. Not everybody can drive Ferrari. (Or rephrasing a USSR movie quote - A society without an upper/lower differentiator has no purpose)
[Mutual] Happiness isn't a purpose?
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#247This 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.
It can shift your whole perspective if you're open to it
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#248Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, that is a legitimate argument to make in a cruel, uncaring (most of the time) world. Lots of regretful parents out there who would take it back if they could. All life is temporary. Quality of life for all involved is a material consideration.
> Yes, that is a legitimate argument to make in a cruel, uncaring (most of the time) world. No, it isn’t. “I wish you didn’t exist because your existence inconveniences me,” is a step away from “I should be able to kill you because you inconvenience me.” You will likely think that I am being hyperbolic (“We’re just talking about if it was a good idea for these people to exist, not saying we should be able to kill the…
what is your opinion of the state assisting people to survive when their caregivers die? and what of thr caregivers who cannot work, or cannot afford care?
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#249Earlier quoted context omitted.
At some point you have to choose an arbitrary line in the sand, or otherwise the universe is a single being. All lines are arbitrary.
The line between "haploid gametes" and "diploid organism" doesn't seem arbitrary. There's a clear and meaningful difference between a gamete and an organism from a biological perspective.
You are not talking about the same thing as the person you are replying to.
Re: Scientists may have found a way to eliminate chromosome linked to Down syndrome
#250I think it is worth a separate research that modern definition of progressive thought considers eliminating/treating a genetic malfunction "unethical".
This is not an attitude exclusive to progressives. The chief grievance here is that the historical “solution” to the “problem” of Down Syndrome has been abortion. Opposition comes from the pro-life movement (which is generally conservative) and disability advocacy groups (which are generally liberal).
A novel therapy that does not result in the termination of the pregnancy might satisfy the conservatives, but it does nothing to satisfy the disability advocates, who point out that these kinds of technologies fundamentally normalize the idea that they should never have been born the way that they are.