If there were a cure for Down syndrome, most parents of children with the disorder aren’t sure they would take advantage of it, according to a recent survey of Canadian parents.
In 27 percent of cases parents said they would not choose to cure their children. Another 32 percent of parents weren’t sure, the research from the University of British Columbia shows. Meanwhile, 41 percent of parents said they would certainly cure their kids.
Parents with the most challenges in caring for their children with the chromosomal disorder were most likely to want to cure their children, researchers say.
Among those uninterested in a cure were parents concerned about how their child’s personality might change if they didn’t have Down syndrome. Alternatively, parents interested in curing their kids wanted to do so to bring their children increased independence and opportunity.
Meanwhile, the majority of parents said that prenatal testing for Down syndrome is a “good thing” and believed the testing should be available to mothers of all ages.
A cure for Down syndrome may not be too far off. Researchers reported Wednesday that they were able to reverse Down syndrome-like characteristics in mice by using a drug to boost a neurotransmitter in the brain, reports the Los Angeles Times. To read more click here.
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I think I fall into the 32 percent that are not sure. I love my son the way he ‘is’ and cannnot imagine him any other way. But, I know he longs for ‘normalacy’ which tugs pretty hard at me. I am all for the prenatal testing but I am afraid too many people decide to terminate without understanding, and thus an important and wonderful part of our humanity is being lost.
I think that if a parent were presented with the actual choice that their child could be more able and that if they died their child could go out and get a good job and be bright enough to take care of all his own needs, that they would be quick to fix their chromosomes as long as it was assured not to be temporary and could not cause a more severe disability. Downs is not a bad disability as disabilities go, but it does carry some measure of permanent dependence and most do not go to college or learn a skilled trade with which they can support themselves fully.
The headline is very misleading…given what is reported in the story, 73% of parents might opt in for the treatment! Also, calling the treatment involved a “cure” is not accurate. The drug involved would only improve cognitive skills–which in and of itself would be wonderful! However, a “cure” would “fix” all the effects of Trisomy 21 or perhaps prevent Trisomy 21 from occurring, and this seems highly unlikely.