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Scientists Silence Extra Chromosome In Down Syndrome Cells
An anonymous reader writes "Scientists have silenced the extra copy of a chromosome that causes Down syndrome in laboratory stem cells, offering the first evidence that it may be possible to correct the genes responsible for the disorder. The discovery provides the first evidence that the underlying genetic defect responsible for Down syndrome can be suppressed in cells in culture."
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Maybe some aspects of Downs could be reversed, but as many of the neurological and physiological aspects of the disorder are doubtless developmental, I can't imagine any substantial changes to a person already with the syndrome. The greatest hope, I imagine, is in utero treatment which would prevent the developmental aspects of Downs Syndrome from happening at all.
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
The point? How about early intervention? Trisomy 21 is easily detected via procedures such as amniocentesis which are trivial to perform today. If you can catch the condition early, much of the developmental abnormalities that would have progressed unchecked in a normal Downs Syndrome baby could be nipped in the bud during fetal development. I'm not sufficiently experienced in this area to make dramatic claims. But I would venture a guess the earlier you can address the problem in the womb, the less severe the symptoms would be in an affected individual.
Stay sentient. Don't drink bad milk.
Well, if you'll put on your cyncial hat, the in-utero treatment you wish for already exists: plannedparenthood.com
In America, about 90% of diagnosed DS fetuses are aborted. That is an interesting percentage, since polls indicate that more that 20% of Americans think abortion should be illegal under all circumstances.
Since we're talking statistics, amniocentesis, the invasive test for Down Syndrome, has a 0.75% chance of ending the pregnancy so we opted for a lower risk combination of an ultrasound scan and blood test. The results (along with our age and other factors) gave a 1 in 40 (2.5%) chance of a baby with Down Syndrome. But the nurse who read the results to us didn't say once chance in 40 and she didn't say 2.5% chance. She said 40% chance! (Is mathematic literacy a medical training requirement.) Fortunately we did the tests merely to inform ourselves of what special preparation we might need to make. Abortion for eugenic purposes is not legal here in Ireland as it is in the US. Unfortunately this same nurse trained in Boston. Heaven only knows how many pregnancies were ended based on this. We're thankful for a healthy little boy who doesn't have Down Syndrome but we may all owe a debt of gratitude to people with Down Syndrome. Studying the characteristics of this syndrome may help us understand Alzheimers and studying the fact that cancer is much rarer in people Down Syndrome may help us understand and cure this terrible disease.
The take no prisoners battle between the anti-life and anti-choice people have left us in a state of anti-science, anti-compassion and anti-love.