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Down Syndrome : The Common Genetic Condition Essay

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Introduction: Down Syndrome affects many people, even those who don’t have it. Down syndrome is also called Trisomy 21. The term Down syndrome did not become the accepted term until the early 1970’s (“History of NADS”). Down syndrome is the most common genetic condition, almost 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome (“What Is Down Syndrome?”). When the 21st chromosome has an extra copy, full or partial, down syndrome will occur. With the extra genetic material it messes with the development physically and mentally. It also creates certain features connected with Down Syndrome. Some of the well known features are low muscle tone, small stature, upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm (“What Is Down Syndrome?”). These features and their extent can vary from person to person, some may not even have any at all. One in every 691 babies born in the United States has Down syndrome, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome each year in the United States (“What Is Down Syndrome?”). Just like the physical features the medical problems associated with Down syndrome vary from person to person, some may need a lot while others may need little to none. The health problem can be treated with the many resources available to help the people with Down syndrome and their families. II. Discovery:
Even though people with Down syndrome were alluded to in art, literature, and science for year little was known about it (What Is Down Syndrome?”).

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