People with Down syndrome lead rich, complex lives like any other human, but it’s only been in the last few decades that everyone else stopped persecuting them long enough to notice this. As a result, both their IQ and their life expectancy skyrocketed.
# Stuff You Should Know: Down Syndrome
Josh and Chuck dive deep into Down syndrome, exploring what it actually is, how it's caused, and the remarkable progress made in how society treats people who have it. From the genetic basics of trisomy 21 to the shameful history of institutionalization that lasted well into the 1970s, this episode covers the medical realities, developmental milestones, and prenatal testing options available today. They also discuss how life expectancy has skyrocketed since people with Down syndrome started living in their communities instead of institutions, and why more babies with Down syndrome are being born in places like the United States despite widespread prenatal screening available elsewhere in the world.
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