Down syndrome
Down syndrome traces its name from Dr. Langdon Down in 1866, who first termed it as a disorder. Down syndrome is a type of genetic disorder. It occurs when there happens to be extra chromosome 21. During fertilization in human beings, a potential human being usually inherits 23 chromosomes from the father and other 23 chromosomes from the mother. In some cases, an individual obtains extra chromosomes from the parents (Brill 2007). In case of Down syndrome, individuals usually inherit two extra chromosomes 21 from the mother and one extra from the father. This forms a collection of three chromosome 21 type. This fact makes Down syndrome to also be called Trisomy 21. Overwhelming percentage of individuals infected with this kind of disorder usually inherit the whole chromosome 21.
Down syndrome results from nondisjunction. Nondisjunction is the condition when two members of chromosome 21 fail to separate completely during the formation of an egg or a sperm. When a normal sperm fertilizes this abnormal egg, three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal pair forms the embryo (Selikowitz 2008). This extra chromosome 21 then finds away to the baby since it is copied to all cell of his/her body. Scientific studies have shown that there are higher chances of contracting this disorder when women wait until old age to have children. Few cases down syndrome are caused because of Robertsonian translocation. This occurs when the outstretched arm of chromosome 21 breaks and attaches itself to other chromosomes within the centromere. In such cases, the careers of translocation do not have Down syndrome but are capable of passing it to their offsprings (Evans 2009).
Down syndrome possesses both medical and physical characteristics that vary from child to child. This depends on the severity of the disorder. Some children experience severe symptoms while others show mild symptoms. Observable physical characteristics associated with Down syndrome are flat face or forehead, a neck that is short with excess fat and skin, upward slant as one move towards the eyes. A show of white spots in the iris part of the eye, a thin slit to the eye and ears that are abnormally shaped in that they are small and lowly set. There is an indication of depression just under the nose. A rough tongue protrudes through the small mouth. Arms and legs are shorter. Short fingers and toes also symbolize the disorder. The space between the second and the first toe is increased in Down syndrome victims. Crease is observed at the palm of the hand. These creases are usually horizontal (Selikowitz 2008). Victims of the disorder usually experience hypotonia-abnormal muscle tone, which are poor. Excessive flexibility of joint is also observed.
Medical characteristics common in the Down syndrome victims are heart defects that are normally detected after birth or at birth, intellectual disability because of the moderation of learning disabilities by the mild. This reduces the cognitive skills in children affected by down disorder. Diseases such as leukemia and cardiac disabilities are other symptoms of the disorder. Other abnormalities are gastrointestinal and respiratory problems. Life expectancy of the victims of Down syndrome disorder is normally lower (Evans 2009). It is estimated to be between 50-55 years. Soft skin is observed in children and dry skin, as they grow old. Adults with Down syndrome experiences premature aging. Currently, there is no known cure for Down syndrome disorder. Great steps have been made in determining its cause. The remaining bit is finding out which part of the chromosome 21 is responsible for each aspect of down symptoms of Down syndrome disorder.
Human cloning/gene therapy
Human cloning is designing copies of human beings or human body parts/organs. Therapeutic cloning is done in human beings for the purpose of research or health conditions (Pence 2007). When an individual has kidney or liver implications, these body parts could be cloned to serve the individual. The other type of cloning known as reproductive cloning leads to reproduction of human beings. Gene cloning refers to specifically deciding on a gene and then producing a copy of the gene in context.
Cloning is done through a process known as somantic cell nuclear transfer. Somantic cell is any cell found in the body of human beings or any other animal with exception of the germs cells. Germ cells are reproductive cells-egg and sperm. Nuclear is a closed entity that contains everything a cell needs to form an organism. Somantic cell is identified from the body of the animal to be cloned. It is then extracted and placed in a medium to lose its identity. An egg cell is then extracted from a different animal or human being. The germ cell and the somantic cell with complete set of chromosomes are the fused through electric means. Since a somantic cell is much smaller as compared to an egg cell, it is absorbed into the germ cell. The resultant embryo is then implanted in a surrogate womb to develop completely. After the gestation period, exact copy of the cloned animal is delivered (Pence 2007).
Human cloning is characterized with many controversies. There is a group for cloning and another against it. With critical review of their sentiments, I have never understood the reasoning behind for those who are against cloning. They argue that in cloning, we are shortchanging God. If human beings were to argue like this, the world would have vehicles, airplanes and ships just to mention but a few. In doing all these, we have been playing God. Therefore, it cannot happen cloning is done. They also argue that in the process of cloning, many embryos are killed. This according to them sums up as murder. This argument generates debate on what should be considered murder and what should not. On a personal level, disposing an embryo should not sum up as murder. This is not a person but a potential. The other argument presented by this group is based on human rights. They believe that since clones are copies of original human beings, they will not enjoy full human rights. This is daydreaming and should stop.
Having said all that, I believe that cloning is for the best of human kind. In cases of infertility, parents can acquire a child or children through cloning process. Therapeutic cloning has helped solve cases of organ failures in human body. Those with kidney or heart diseases have managed to obtain functioning organs through cloning. Cloning has helped reduce cases of transfer of genetic illness from parent to their children (Pence 2007). Through cloning, human beings are capable of creating superhuman beings. Cloning of highly intelligent individuals will increase the number of intellectuals in the society. This will boost the technological development of the future world. Since human beings have the required technology to see cloning through, it should be practiced freely.
References
Brill, M. T. (2007). Down syndrome. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark
Evans-Martin, F. F. (2009). Down syndrome. New York: Chelsea House.
Pence, G. E. (2007). Re-creating medicine: Ethical issues at the frontiers of medicine. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
Selikowitz, M. (2008). Down syndrome: The facts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
USA. (2002). Scientific and medical aspects of human reproductive cloning. Washington,
