After trying for many years, a woman was successful in becoming pregnant. As a component of one of her routine pre-natal appointments, she was tested for fetal abnormalities. A blood test confirmed that her baby has Down syndrome and her physician recommended aborting the fetus. Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that leads to intellectual disability, weak muscle tone and a unique facial characteristic. Down syndrome children often have increased risks for heart defects and other medical conditions such as gastric reflux. Taking care of a child with Down syndrome can be both mentally and physically exhausting. Taking care of a child with Down syndrome can be equally rewarding. Being faced with the option of abortion or raising a child with Down syndrome can lead to ethical dilemmas that can affect the lives of not only the child but the emotional well-being of the parent as well. The ethics involved in this decision are effected by the individuals’ worldview and their knowledge of the disease. A discussion on the abortion ethical dilemma will include understanding the ethical dilemma, core beliefs, and the resolution according to the Christian worldview, and a comparison to other views …show more content…
Parenting a child with Down syndrome can be as rewarding as parenting a child without disability. Consideration also needs to be given to the cost of raising a child with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society state children with Down syndrome are now living longer lives and may require specialized education, increased medical costs due to heart abnormalities, and long term physical rehabilitation due to the generalized weaknesses related to weak muscle tone. There is a substantial cost factor to consider when raising a child with Down
. Down syndrome is not a disease that someone catches and is not caused by difficulties during the pregnancy, it is a genetic condition. This condition is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the body’s cells and causes a redundant amount of proteins to be formed. All cells of the body derive from a single cell formed by the fusion of a father’s sperm and a mother’s egg. Each cell carries a nucleus full of genetic material known as genes. These genes are inherited from both the mother and father. Each cell normally contains 46 pairs of chromosomes. 23 chromosomes come from one parent and 23 from the other, hence the 46 pairs. When it comes to children with down syndrome, one of the chromosomes does not separate properly and so the
There are many common pregnancy alternatives, but most often the resulting decision is abortion because it is effortless. Abortion is endings a women’s pregnancy by removing or forcing a fetus or embryo from the mother’s womb before it is able to survive on its own. Not all abortions are purposely done some are spontaneous like when a women that has a miscarriage. Rather abortion is done purposely or naturally it is a worldwide complication as to it being wrong or right. Abortion is an ethical issue that will be analyzed according to a personal worldview and Christian worldview. Ethical thinking will be examined by value-based decisions that address abortion from the perspective of a Christian worldview and comparing it to a personal assumption by addressing ethical dilemma, core beliefs, resolution, evaluation, and comparison.
Down syndrome occurs in people who were born with three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This extra genetic material is what brings about the effects of Down’s syndrome. It is often characterized by an impairment of cognitive (process of thought) ability. Most people with Down syndrome have lower than average, mild to moderate, cognitive ability and this cannot be predicted at birth. A smaller number fall into the severe impairment range. Physically, people with Down’s syndrome are smaller in stature, have less muscle tone, and have noticeably different facial features. The number of these births occurs approximately in one out of every one thousand (ndss.org). As of 2007, the number of people in the United States with Down syndrome stood at about 350,000. These numbers will shrink because now (most) potential parents can know the condition of the fetus early. This information is included to let the reader relate to the struggles that some with Down syndrome goes through.
You feel bad that your child has to be put through all this stuff and he shouldn’t have to. Then you also have to pay for a lot of extra stuff. Like the kids can be in great risk of major complications. For example; heart defects. It’s hard for children with Down syndrome to make friends now days because of their behavior swings. When they’re younger, they’re not easy to get along with, but as they get older. They become nicer and don’t have that bad of behavior problems. The kids need extra help, medication, extra school help, learning to communicate with others. Some parents have said that whenever you find out your child has Down syndrome that you have several emotions. Sometimes you don’t know what to feel. The procedures and help could cost a great amount of
With today’s technological advances people should look up a web site, www.ndss.org, specifically for information on people with Down syndrome. In today’s societies a person with Down syndrome still fall into common misconception about who or why they were born Down syndrome. Common misconceptions for a person with Down syndrome consists of them being contagious, they have three of every chromosome, and the umbilical cord wraps around their neck while in the womb. Everyone should mark their calendars for March twenty-first, national world Down syndrome
The most recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Birth Defects Prevention Network updates national statistics regarding the prevalence of Down syndrome in the U.S. The study indicates that there are about 6,000 diagnoses of Down syndrome each year in the United States. One in every 691 babies is born with Down syndrome. This is an increase from the previously reported statistic of 1 in every 733. Based on the study, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) cites this prevalence estimate on its website and other materials. (CDC
People who are born with Down syndrome go through life treated differently. Growing people with Down syndrome are teased in school because of the way they are. This causes the already their already hard life to be even more difficult. Because they don’t have the fully capacities that others have they have to struggle and go through life differently than the rest of the people. People born with Down syndrome are limited to what they can achieve in life and they are also limited to what they can be in life. Such inequality is not just, should we not try to create a better place where everyone is treated fair and equally.
Down’s syndrome is a common chromosomal disorder effecting the physical and cognitive development of a person. An individual with Down’s syndrome typically has numerous health ailments, which require intense medical care and create great medical costs. A person with Down’s syndrome requires special schools and invasive therapies, which can also be costly. Many believe people with Down’s syndrome do not live a fulfilled life, compared to a typical person because many cannot live independently or be successful in life. To avoid costly expenses and endless time and effort to help a Down’s person be happy and healthy, many believe it’s best to terminate a Down’s syndrome pregnancy to avoid dealing with all the hardships and issues that may arise. Some families cannot handle the emotional and financial hardships. Not only can living with Down’s syndrome be considered a problem in society, the healthcare costs may be problematic, as well as the issue of abortion.
The article “Down Syndrome” reviewed by Dr. Mary Gavin, thoroughly explains the causes, affects and diagnosis of the condition. This genetic condition involves the individual gaining an extra chromosome, ending up with 47 instead of 46. A person with Down syndrome facial and bodily features will be distinctly unique, making it easy to characterize them from others. Consistent medical attention is crucial for a child with the condition, even if the child appears to have no significant health concerns. With out proper care, the child could develop pulmonary hypertension, worsened vision and hearing, seizures, asthma, infections etc. Prenatal screening
When you see a person with Down syndrome you are typically able to identify them easily by characteristics such as flat facial features, an upward slant to the eyes, or a single deep crease across the center of the palm. However, there is one thing that may be harder to guess in a person with Down syndrome, and that is their age. Individuals with this condition tend to age faster than an individual without the condition. The median age for an individual with Down syndrome is now 60 years compared to a previous 25 to 30 years; this could be from advancing health care and more community involvement (Family Caregiving of Aging Adults with Down Syndrome). With this increasing age it is important that research be done on improving lifestyle and care for the older adult with Down syndrome.
In conclusion, down syndrome is a very serious condition. It has its rough patches along the way but most of the down syndrome patients live a very active life. Today, down syndrome patients are going to school, in sporting activities and many are getting into college now. Many people look down on down syndrome and don’t really stop to think what they are taking for granted. Most down syndrome patients are very appreciative about the little things and many people should follow in their
Becoming a parent for the first time is often frightening, no parent wants his or her child to be sick, disabled, or harmed in any way. It is not an experience anyone expects to have, it is a journey that is unplanned. Heather is the mother of a child diagnosed with Down syndrome. Heather shared her story, along with the everyday struggles she faces, in a personal interview about her child’s diagnosis of Down syndrome. Though she may face many struggles, she has found hope throughout different therapeutic interventions. Occupational therapy has played a key role in Kaleb’s everyday performance.
Down Syndrome is a developmental disorder caused by an error in the process of cell division. This disorder is characterized by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy)(Segal & Pesco, 2015). It is the most common chromosomal disorder and affects 1 in 700 live births (Ramia, Musharrafieh, Khaddage, & Sabri, 2014). According to Segal and Pesco (2015), Down Syndrome is characterised by physical features such as distinct facial characteristics, low muscle tone; conditions such as congenital heart disease; and Intellectual Disability with IQs typically ranging from 30 to 70.
On the bright side, there are treatments that take its place that can help ease the disorder. To start off with, it is recommended that those who are born with this syndrome start learning earlier in life. This will help them catch on to many skills such as cognitive, sensory, learning, and social. Sadly, it takes almost 2 times as long for them to surpass the process. Those without Down Syndrome can easily learn these skills in a flash. It is necessary that the child gets physical education since those who are born with this syndrome are prone to gaining weight and can not lose it so easily. After a few years, the child is sent to doctors and therapists who will guide the child to a more productive environment where they will progress efficiently. Slowly but surely the child with Down Syndrome will struggle less with the disorder and learn to live with it
A person that has Down syndrome may have some physical problems or disabilities. Some common physical problems are: short necks, poor muscle tone, a small head and an overall smaller body. Approximately one third of babies born with Down syndrome have heart defects, most of which are now