social and ethical issues
Ethical:
Some ethical do come with this disorder. One being the pre-birth screening test to diagnose down syndrome. Scottish doctor says "Pregnant women and couples are vulnerable, often entering into screening without giving much thought to the consequences. And when an abnormality is detected they get little time or specific direction on the decision to terminate. Meanwhile, for “normal” children, life comes with no guarantees; the only certainty is a myriad of unpredictable and often devastating life events that await us all."
These screening tests may also result in miscarriage (1%) or even further defects and the problem with the testing is that is can only be performed between weeks into pregnancy which is right around the deadline to abort in most U.S states.
These screening tests may also result in miscarriage (1%) or even further defects and the problem with the testing is that is can only be performed between weeks into pregnancy which is right around the deadline to abort in most U.S states.
social:
Although people with Down Syndrome now have all human rights (medical, educational, occupational, relationship) they were not always treated this way. Anyone anywhere with some sort of disorder or some type of abnormality is judged and when people have no prior information, they assume the worst.
In the past, individuals with Down Syndrome were kept in inhumane institutions where these basic rights were not provided. They were seen as shameful and were discriminated against and sent to mental institutions.
In 1793, Phillipe Pinnel and Jean Baptiste Pussin were the first beings to remove restraints and introduce more humane methods to treat the mentally ill. Still, these people were sterilized, not given medical care, and still looked down upon.
In 1950 the "National Association for Retarted Citizens" was funded making it the oldest and largest non profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection of the civil and human rights of the mentally disabled.
In 1972 the Berkeley Center for Independent Living is established, becoming the first independent living center for the mentally ill. There was however, still a lot of discrimination.
In 2010 President Obama signs Rosa's Law requiring the removal of "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from federal laws. It is still a constant struggle of discrimination for those with down syndrome, but we have come a long way to go. These people now work, study, and maintain their proper human rights. There is however still a long way to go for us to view them as equal
March 21st was World Down Syndrome Day.
In the past, individuals with Down Syndrome were kept in inhumane institutions where these basic rights were not provided. They were seen as shameful and were discriminated against and sent to mental institutions.
In 1793, Phillipe Pinnel and Jean Baptiste Pussin were the first beings to remove restraints and introduce more humane methods to treat the mentally ill. Still, these people were sterilized, not given medical care, and still looked down upon.
In 1950 the "National Association for Retarted Citizens" was funded making it the oldest and largest non profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection of the civil and human rights of the mentally disabled.
In 1972 the Berkeley Center for Independent Living is established, becoming the first independent living center for the mentally ill. There was however, still a lot of discrimination.
In 2010 President Obama signs Rosa's Law requiring the removal of "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from federal laws. It is still a constant struggle of discrimination for those with down syndrome, but we have come a long way to go. These people now work, study, and maintain their proper human rights. There is however still a long way to go for us to view them as equal
March 21st was World Down Syndrome Day.
Individuals with Down Syndrome now have jobs and are becoming a norm into our ever changing society.
Public figures with down syndrome
There are many public figures that have Down Syndrome and they are inspirations to all of us! Here are a couple of them. Click on the pictures for more information.