Birth Defects Essay -- essays research papers

Birth DefectsNo one is immune to birth defects, yet non e preciseone is equally susceptible.Birth defects are not merely a medical problem. They dupe profound effects onthe social and psychological well being of their family and friends.In the normal course of fetal development, cells migrate to theirappropriate destination so that organs and limbs form where they should. Usually,the genes perform flawlessly, but mistakes can and do occur. Some of the mostcommon birth defects results from the interaction between one or two brachydactylousgenes out of 100,000 that make up who we are. This is caused by the genesparents pass on or effected by drugs and intoxicant upon the fetus of a new bornchild.Downs syndrome, the most common genetic disease formerly known asmongolism, "occurs one in every half dozen hundred births throughout the world" ( Storm102). It is caused by chromosomal error, where thither is an extra chromosome 21.Instead of have two chromosomes as does a norma l individual, there are three.These childrens features include up slanted eyelids, depressed foreheads,hearing loss, dental problems, poor speech development, heart disease andintestinal problems where surgery is required. Parents feel very helpless andguilty in many of these and similar situations, feeling as if they are abnormal.However most can learn to walk, talk, dress themselves and eat. Special rangeprograms are available that can help the child reach their education level. Alsothese work programs help takes off the many stresses facing parents. They no long have to go it alone.Tay Sachs disease is another selective genetic disorder that destroyednerve cells. This causes mental retardation, loss of muscle control and death.Children who inherit an abnormal gene from both parents will inherit the decease.The carrier parents have one normal gene and one defective gene. Carriers ofTay-Sachs disease have no symptoms. " If two carriers have children, each childhas twenty-five percent chance of inheriting the defective gene (both parents)"(Strom 174). These children are unable to produce an enzyme that breaks downfats in the brain and nerve cells. The cells become clogged with fat and preventthe cells from functioning normally. Within three to four years their bodiesdies.Sandra vividly remembers how happy she was to have a baby brotherand what a beautiful, h... ... be wrong." Since two hundred and fifty thousand babies with birth defects of varyingseverity are born in the fall in States each year" ( Gravelle 6), it would behard not to meet some of these people. In the past few decades, many strideshave been taken to help reckon the causes of such diseases with hope oftreatments and cures. Also works of finding ways to help the parents cope withtheir emotional devastation have been taken as many accomplishments have beenmade. Parents are now finding ways to move past their anger and frustration andenjoy a loving relationship with their child . With a wider knowledge of education available and treatment to drug addits families can pull though.Caring for a child is a tough emotional and physical battle but should ceaselessly belooked as a gift, these children have much to offer.Work CitedDarling, Jon. Children Who Are Different. Toronto The C.V. Mosby Company, 1982.Gardner, Suzy. Substance Abuse During Pregnancy Protecting The Foetus And NewBorn Child. Norwich UEA Norwich., 1992. Gravelle, Karen. sense BirthDefects. U.S.A Frankin Watts, 1990. Strom, Charles. Heredity and Ability.U.S.A Plenum Press, 1990.