As some regular readers of this blog already know, I have been following the blogosphere’s treatment of recent research that indicates a possible way to increase the cognitive ability of individuals with Down syndrome. In response, I have a new article on the website of Christianity Today, titled “Considering ‘Curing’ Down Syndrome with Caution.” An excerpt:
This language demonstrates more than ignorance of biology. It reduces Down syndrome to a medical condition rather than understanding people with Down syndrome as whole—emotional, physical, social, spiritual—persons. It further reveals assumptions that Down syndrome can be conflated with mental retardation, and assumptions that a cognitive delay is a disease that needs curing. Finally, it assumes that drugs are the best way to address cognitive delays, whereas other research demonstrates that children with Down syndrome have been socially conditioned to meet low expectations for their ability to learn.
To read more, click here and as always, feel free to leave your comments!
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