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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

#251

Post by SecondHandTofu »

xupybd wrote: post #191
nkrisc wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there’s a difference between appreciating those among us who have it for their perspective and differences and wishing it upon your child. I admit I was absolutely relieved when pre-natal screening was negative for it, both times. But if that was the hand we were dealt, then I’d take it. But that doesn’t mean I want it.

My friends baby tested positive for down syndrome in one of the early screenings. They suggested termination. When my friend asked what the chances were they said on that test they had a 1 in 100 chance of down syndrome. That baby did not have down syndrome and is now a happy seven year old.

What is your point, that variance exists? I'm not sure I'd play Russian roulette even with a 100 chamber cylinder. 99 people might come away with an anecdote though.

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

#252

Post by svara »

Down syndrome presents in different ways.

I wanted to respond to multiple comments with the touching speech of Frank Stephen (a man affected by Down syndrome) before the US Congress in 2017, so I'm posting it to the top level instead.

It's a complex issue but I think listening to Stephen will add a valuable perspective.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vtS91Jd5mac&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5t...

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

#253

Post by shafyy »

somenameforme wrote: post #180
mathieuh wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It didn’t just happen. It happened through struggle and its continuation is not guaranteed. Look at all the reactionary movements springing up around the world. This is not an area I believe we can settle on “good enough”.

I think societies somewhat naturally wax and wane on most topics, probably because it seems we're simply unable to maintain a middle ground on anything. We always end up taking things to an extreme which, regardless of what that extreme may be, tends to lead to unpleasant scenarios which causes society to start bouncing back in the opposite direction only to repeat the cycle in the equal but opposite direction some t…

[flagged]

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

#254

Post by danw1979 »

wonderwonder wrote: post #162
smeej wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How long ago was this? I ask because segregation like that was considered standard of care decades ago, but has not been in decades now too, so if it was recent, it's not following current best practices, and if it was long ago, it's worth noting that this is no longer the standard of care, indeed because it wasn't helpful and people would not choose it.

Last year? Its just a house in a residential neighborhood. Neighbors obviously did not want to interact with them very often, limited to a wave if one of them was taking out the trash. The segregation is pretty much desired by the neighbors and understood by the nurses. No one raising a family really wants to have to interact with mentally challenged non family people every day of their lives. Keeping the interaction…

My experience of interacting with people who have Down’s syndrome is that they are especially outgoing, preternaturally friendly and just generally lovely to be around.

I’m not arguing for either side of the treatment/screening debate here, but vehemently against an apartheid-like view on how people with disabilities should be treated, i.e. not as outcasts but as fellow humans.

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

#255

Post by padjo »

vicnov wrote: post #156

I think it is worth a separate research that modern definition of progressive thought considers eliminating/treating a genetic malfunction "unethical".

Ah yes, because conservative thought is such a big fan of gene therapy and abortion.

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

#257

Post by HPsquared »

iLoveOncall wrote: post #237
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.

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.

It's one thing for the parents to decide, quite another for a bunch of politicians to decide who gets to be born.

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

#258

Post by namenotrequired »

xupybd wrote: post #191
nkrisc wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there’s a difference between appreciating those among us who have it for their perspective and differences and wishing it upon your child. I admit I was absolutely relieved when pre-natal screening was negative for it, both times. But if that was the hand we were dealt, then I’d take it. But that doesn’t mean I want it.

My friends baby tested positive for down syndrome in one of the early screenings. They suggested termination. When my friend asked what the chances were they said on that test they had a 1 in 100 chance of down syndrome. That baby did not have down syndrome and is now a happy seven year old.

Wait, am I reading this wrong or did they suggest abortion to avoid a mere 1% risk of Down syndrome?

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

#259

Post by Thorrez »

shafyy wrote: post #253
somenameforme wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think societies somewhat naturally wax and wane on most topics, probably because it seems we're simply unable to maintain a middle ground on anything. We always end up taking things to an extreme which, regardless of what that extreme may be, tends to lead to unpleasant scenarios which causes society to start bouncing back in the opposite direction only to repeat the cycle in the equal but opposite direction some t…

[flagged]

Most communist countries haven't been such a utopia as you describe.

>He told his fellow Russians in his entourage that if their people, who often must wait in line for most goods, saw the conditions of U.S. supermarkets, "there would be a revolution."

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/When...

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

#260

Post by fennecbutt »

creakingstairs wrote: post #56
mathgeek wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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).

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!

Probably in general, but not as much as you'd think.

For example as a gay dude, people still hate gay guys (lesbians are far more accepted). But they're just much more quiet about it now, and even if they don't hate us we still "gross" many people out, which affects their decisions due to perception of us.

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