Birth Defects Essay -- essays research papers

Birth DefectsNo one is immune to birth defects, yet non everyone is equally susceptible.Birth defects are not merely a medical problem. They reserve profound effects onthe social and psychological well macrocosm 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 freighter and do occur. round of the mostcommon birth defects results from the interaction between one or two abnormalgenes out of 100,000 that make up who we are. This is caused by the genesparents pass on or effected by drugs and alcohol upon the fetus of a new bornchild.Downs syndrome, the most common genetic indisposition formerly known asmongolism, "occurs one in every six hundred births throughout the world" ( Storm102). It is caused by chromosomal error, where there is an extra chromosome 21.Instead of have two chromosomes as does a normal individual, there are three.These childrens features include up slanted eyelids, depressed foreheads,hearing prejudice, dental problems, poor speech development, heart disease andintestinal problems where surgery is required. Parents feel very helpless andguilty in umpteen of these and similar situations, feeling as if they are abnormal.However most can learn to walk, talk, dress themselves and eat. Special workprograms are available that can help the child reach their education level. Alsothese work programs help takes aside the many stresses facing parents. They nolonger 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 risky gene. Carriers ofTay-Sachs disease have no symptoms. " If two carriers have children, each childhas twen ty-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 long time 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 varying bad are born in the United 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 understand the causes of such diseases with hope oftreatments and cures. Also works of finding ways to help the parents cope withtheir stirred devastation have been taken as many accomplishments have beenmade. Parents are now finding ways to move past their anger and frustration andenjoy a benignant relationship with their child. With a wider knowledge ofinformation available and treatment to drug addits families can pull though.Caring for a child is a tough emotional and physical battle but should always 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 defend The Foetus And NewBorn Child. Norwich UEA Norwich., 1992. Gravelle, Karen. Understanding BirthDefects. U.S.A Frankin Watts, 1990. Strom, Charles. Heredity and Ability.U.S.A Plenum Press, 1990.