Its interesting that people without Downs Syndrome are concerned about “preserving the culture”
If you had Downs Syndrome, would YOU want to remain retarded your entire life to preserve your sweetness and simplicity?
I am reminded of the movie “Charlie” where the character is “cured” of his mental retardation by a miracle drug and becomes a sparkling genius, falls in love with the researcher etc— then realizes the drug is losing effect and realizes he will regress and will again become retarded. It was kind of horrifying, actually.
Some people in deaf culture have the same attitude- better to stay deaf than undertake surgery or other measures to restore hearing or communicate by voice - deafness is a “culture” thing, not a handicap
However - retardation? Far different imho
I don't know the answer. I get it that these children and others who are outside the norm teach us to be more human and compassionate, and many seem very content with their lives. I also get nervous when we play God with genetics.
It's a really deep philosophical crossroads we're at, with the ability to manipulate life.
Yeah, I remember "Charlie", but the book (actually short story) rather than the movie. I thought it went past "kind of" horrifying. Of course, people with Alzheimers (and some other forms of dementia) undergo this precise same transition, so it is not exactly unknown in our society.
And it STILL goes past "kind of horrifying".
“Its interesting that people without Downs Syndrome are concerned about “preserving the culture””
I found that more than curious too - like Down Syndrome is a species in need of preserving.
I’d like to hear Sarah Palin’s take on this discovery.
My wife has significant experience working as a nurse taking care of people with Downs Syndrome, and has been on the board of a non-profit which takes care of those afflicted. There is basically an entire government supported industry that has grown up around the care for people with Downs Syndrome. It is not that surprising that some who may have to find a new way to make a living... might view this development in a negative light.
Our assumption here is that in general the relatives who are concerned about “preserving the culture” are either getting a whole lot of assistance including substantial government funds given to them to take of their relative or they are not the ones actually carrying for their relative.
We have known entire families who have basically been supported by the money that they get from the government to take care of their relative with Downs Syndrome. Some of these people might also be inclined to make up these same type of lame excuses to deny their relative proper treatment when and if it becomes available.
We personally think that it would be inhumane to even consider withholding this type of treatment should it become effective and available.
I rank that similarly to nearsighted parents not wanting to buy their kids glasses so they can share in "blurry" culture.
It is the same thing, and it is pathetic and disgusting - the term “disability community” says it all.
“Its interesting that people without Downs Syndrome are concerned about “preserving the culture””
There is no compassion in celebrating something which limits all the possible life experiences HOWEVER, you will find all these false compassionate people in the support community for the “culture” are scared to death of losing their jobs and power. Despicable people, everyone of them.
My aunt, born in the 1940s, lost her hearing when she was young. She learned to lip read and become a fully functional member of society despite the hearing loss. Ditto for her husband. They both worked hard and put three daughters through Ivy League colleges (big mistake, but that's another story).
Sadly, for the most part, they don't even teach lip reading any more. Signing is quicker to teach and quicker to learn. Trouble is, it severely limits the number of people with whom they can interact and available opportunities as a result.
Sadder still is the growing number who are perfectly OK with it because said disability means another government check.