So I found this article today:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060705/us_nm/down_dc

Basically, scientists believe they have found the gene that causes the cognitive disability in people with Down syndrome. They may have even found a way to reduce the cognitive disability.

This article made me start questioning genetic research. I do not have a problem with genetic research at all. I think we as humans have this knowledge for a reason and we should use it. I have always thought, and continue to think, that I would never genetically alter my childrern.

My daughter IMHO is very advanced for most children with DS. She can talk and walk and she definitely asserts her authority. Though, because of her having DS, she does have cognitive disability. I want her to be as quick thinking and learning as any toddler her age. But do I want that bad enough to give her a treatment. The answer to that is NO. She is who she is, and I wouldn't have her any other way. Just because she can't speak as fluently as other typical children her age doesn't mean she isn't smart. She will just take longer to do so. That is just fine with me. Also, it is HER body, not mine. So who am I to tell her how to change it. She can make any decision she wants when she gets older. Even though this may be a medical breakthrough, and being able to "cure" the cognitive disabilty is amazing. It just is not right. I mean, my daughter is not going to die because of her cognitive disability. She is who she is. Why would I want to "cure" who she is? It is true though, that many people with DS get the symptoms of Alzheimers in their 40s. But again, she will have plenty of time when she gets older to make the decision to have any changes done to her to help prevent that. I am not going to live my life worrying about a "what if" that may happen in 40 years. I will though continue living life as is, treating her just like any other child, expecting the same things as my other daughter, giving her the same goals as my other daughter, advocating for her to be fully included in school and other activities just like a typical child, and above all, loving her.