Down syndrome is a disorder to do with genetic material being paired differently. Often during fertilisation, 23 pairs of chromosomes are needed for healthy formation. In Down syndrome however there is an addition of an extra chromosome on the 21^st chromosome during cell division. There can be two forms of Down syndrome; one is where there is an extra chromosome in each cell, thereby having 47 instead of 46 chromosomes. This form is known as Trisonomy 21. The other form is known as non- disjunction where at conception the egg is left with an extra pair of chromosome 21.

The trait of 

People with this disorder is flat nasal bridge, protruding tongue, noticeable gap between the big toe and the second toe, low muscle tone, slanted eyes, a single deep crease at the centre of the palm and stunted growth. Chromosome 21 is associated with intelligence or cognitive abilities and individuals present cognitive challenges or supreme cognitive abilities related to genius.

Individuals with this disorder have an increased risk of childhood epilepsy, leukaemia, heart disease, old age Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer. New studies have emerged with scientists finding a way of silencing this disorder. Since it is often associated with genetics, couples who are susceptible to it may be taken for screening to reduce the ability of the extra pair of chromosome from attaching to other normal chromosomes during cell division.

This new study is however controversial especially among religious and ethical advocates who say that science should not interfere with nature. They say that each life whether healthy or not has the right to an equal chance of survival for that was natures/ Gods plan. They also bend towards the notion that there is mild and severe Down syndrome and those with the disorder with proper nutrition and medical care live normal lives. They refuse to allow science to propagate a ‘perfect’ generation where each individual is strong and with little or few disabilities. They also warn that this practice would allow individuals to look down upon individuals with disabilities. Scientists on the other hand justify their studies saying that they are not advocating for a ‘perfect’ species but rather trying to increase the chance of an individual to lead a normal life. They say that Down syndrome in sever instances creates a lot of disabilities for children. They also say that in extreme cases of the disease results in hearing disorders, heart problems, physical disabilities as well as cognitive disorders.

What is your take on the disorder, if given a chance to live a healthy life would you choose this path for yourself or child? Is it unethical to go against nature?

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