Unit IV Literature Review

Colombia Southern University

Down syndrome

The topic

Down syndrome has been researched over the years by different writers, however, there are still so many unanswered questions regarding the same. Down syndrome is a genetic disease that some people are born with. The disease is also known as trisomy 21 and occurs randomly during the formation of reproductive cells. This means that it can either be caused by the egg cell or the sperm cell (Lott, 2012). This results in a condition that leads to intellectual disability, weak muscles or a characteristic facial appearance. The fact that the disease occurs randomly underlines the fact that it can affect anyone. It is due to that reason that most countries worldwide have dedicated their researchers to try and know more about how it can be prevented so as to reduce the number of people having that type of disability.

The controversy

Over the years there have been some common misconceptions on how down syndrome manifests itself, this has led to misconceptions on either the parents of the infected child or the child himself. This has made people suffering from down syndrome to be victimized and even despised basing on their physical features (Lott,2012). This meant that the people living with the syndrome would be isolated. This just showed how people with this disability were not given the care they needed, some families even took their children with the syndrome to inhumane institutions where people with the syndrome were to live (Epstein, 2013). Whereas the king hearted families would go beyond their means to take care of the infected.

Pro side of the controversy

Whereas their developmental rate is so slow, there have been a number of institutions that have helped families know how to take care of their loved ones who have the syndrome. Some of the institutions have been seen to help the infected people since they are placed together where they can be easily taken care of by specialists.

Con side of the controversy

Despite the fact that the infected people are being handled by trained people, the fact that they are segregated means that they are not being given equal opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of the world as well as being with their loved ones. Therefore as much as these individuals require constant support from the specialized people, with them being isolated, they develop a negative perspective whereby they feel they are not wanted in the society which is contrary to what we all stand for.

Tentative Thesis statement

Individuals with Down syndrome should be afforded equal treatment as any other individual.

References

Epstein, C. J. (2013). Of Down Syndrome. Molecular Genetic Medicine, 2, 106-110.

Canick, J. A., , G. E. (2012). DNA sequencing of maternal plasma to identify Down syndrome and other trisomies in multiple gestations. Prenatal diagnosis, 32(8), 730-734.

Yoshida, K., Toki, T., Okuno, Y., Kanezaki, R., Shiraishi, Y., Sato-Otsubo, A., ... & Kon, A. (2013). The landscape of somatic mutations in Down syndrome-related myeloid disorders. Nature Genetics, 45(11), 1293-1299.

Lott, I. T. (2012). Neurological phenotypes for Down syndrome across the life span. Progress in brain research, 197, 101.