Introduction:
Genetics has taken great leaps in the last few decades. Genetic Engineering specifically has seen many advancements, and is continuing to grow and become more used and the ways in which it has practical applications. From the formation of beneficial substance producing organism, to gene therapy.
Down Syndrome affects many thousands and so the threat shall remain. With advancements in research and new techniques for analysis and diagnosing genetic disorders, it is only a matter of time until Down Syndrome is fully known to science, and with this greater knowledge a cure.
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome/data.html accessed 18 March 2017]
With Genetic
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Junk DNA, 99% of each individual’s DNA, which all human share. Junk DNA is the Genome “Map” used to create a specific organism. The other part of DNA is specific/inherent DNA. This is DNA from the paternal (father) and maternal (mother) parents, which results in an organism with unique features but of the same species.
DNA is the unit of hereditary information. This is hereditary information is physically expressed with the use of Genes. Genes act as instructions from the DNA on the formation of proteins.
[Source: What is DNA? - Genetics Home Reference. Website https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/dna. Accssed 18 March 2017.]
The DNA that is inherited from either of the parents can lead to a genetic disorder if the gene for this disorder is present. Current research shows that Down Syndrome is not inherited, but a result of incorrect cell formation. (discussed in What is Down Syndrome).
All the DNA required to make a unique organism is term as a Genome. It is the full set of DNA of an organism, including “junk DNA”.
[Source: What is DNA? - Genetics Home Reference. Website https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/dna. Accssed 18 March
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Website https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome. Accessed 18 March 2017] A karyotype of trisomy 21 (an individual with Down Syndrome)
Source: BioBook. Website. https://adapaproject.org/bbk_temp/tiki-index.php?page=Leaf%3A+What+is+Trisomy+21%3F
Accessed: 25 February 2017
The cause of trisomy 21 is meiosis – the formation of sex cells (gametes), and is from the maternal (mother) gamete. Cell division errors are called Nondisjunction. During meiosis, an entire or partial piece of chromosome 21 can by kept and not split into another cell. This results in the extra chromosome 21 present. The age of the mother has been linked to Down Syndrome potential children – the older the mother, the greater the chance of Down Syndrome occurring.
[Source: National Down Syndrome Society. Website http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/. Accessed 18 March 2017]
Many individuals who suffer from Down Syndrome seek out Genetic Counselling to assist their situation.
Genetic Counselling involves seeing a Genetic Counsellor, or Counsellors, for information, diagnosis, and helpful support on dealing with a family member with a genetic