NationStates Jolt Archive

A little surprised this hadn't already been covered here, actually...

"WEDNESDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) -- A pair of genes may explain why people with Down syndrome are largely spared from many types of cancer, Boston researchers report.

The same genetic mechanism could be a potent target for new anti-cancer therapies, said the scientists, who published their findings online May 20 in Nature."

A cure for cancer? And from Down's Syndrome, of all things?

What does NSG think?

I think there are so many factors, we could easily be looking at correlation rather than cause. Many Down's Syndrome patients get a lot of focused care, and thus are more likely to have balanced diets and safe environments than the bulk of the population, for example.

Still... a cure for cancer, coming out of something like Down's Syndrome, would have a kind of Hollywood feel-good factor too good to resist.

EDIT: Link: http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/05/20/research-reveals-how-down-syndrome-shields.html

I think there are so many factors, we could easily be looking at correlation rather than cause. Many Down's Syndrome patients get a lot of focused care, and thus are more likely to have balanced diets and safe environments than the bulk of the population, for example.

Still... a cure for cancer, coming out of something like Down's Syndrome, would have a kind of Hollywood feel-good factor too good to resist.


It makes sense from the standpoint of Downs Syndrome not being particularly beneficial, so that suggests there might a beneficial genetic mutation associated with it in order for it to have lasted so long? (It has been around before people gave a shit about caring for sufferers, so that might suggest not just 'care' is the reason)


/is not geneticist

It wouldn't be surprising. A lot of genetic illnesses have benefits when your only a carrier of the disease.

It makes sense from the standpoint of Downs Syndrome not being particularly beneficial, so that suggests there might a beneficial genetic mutation associated with it in order for it to have lasted so long? (It has been around before people gave a shit about caring for sufferers, so that might suggest not just 'care' is the reason)


/is not geneticist

The majority of Downs syndrome cases aren't due to hereditary cause though

Science marches on.

Science marches on.

Trying to catch up with freedom?

Trying to catch up with freedom?

Science hates our freedoms. Especially our freedom to die from Cancer. Damn you science!

It makes sense from the standpoint of Downs Syndrome not being particularly beneficial, so that suggests there might a beneficial genetic mutation associated with it in order for it to have lasted so long? (It has been around before people gave a shit about caring for sufferers, so that might suggest not just 'care' is the reason)


/is not geneticist

Downs Syndrome doesn't work that way. There's no recessive trait for Down's Syndrome like their is with other disorders like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.

There's no gene you can carry that gives you the Down's Syndrome trait and resistance to a disease.

The trait for with the trait for sickle cell anemia you stand a better chance of living long enough to reproduce, even if bitten by a malaria carrying mosquito. So people with the trait reproduce disproportionately, and eventually there are enough of them that they start reproducing with each other on a regular basis and produce sickle-cell anemia.

Having Downs Syndrome does nothing to increase your chance to reproduce.

Downs Syndrome doesn't work that way. There's no recessive trait for Down's Syndrome like their is with other disorders like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.

There's no gene you can carry that gives you the Down's Syndrome trait and resistance to a disease.

The trait for with the trait for sickle cell anemia you stand a better chance of living long enough to reproduce, even if bitten by a malaria carrying mosquito. So people with the trait reproduce disproportionately, and eventually there are enough of them that they start reproducing with each other on a regular basis and produce sickle-cell anemia.

Having Downs Syndrome does nothing to increase your chance to reproduce.

meh I think he said he was not a geneticist.

meh I think he said he was not a geneticist.

That's why I left out the picture of Morbo.

Having Downs Syndrome does nothing to increase your chance to reproduce.

Are you sure about that?

I remember a woman telling us about her having 2 abortions(long story as to why and not worth repeating as it has no value to the point) and that was because she had 2 brothers with the extreme version of downs. She did not want to go through what her parents went through.

Hardly evidence but I mention it simply I remember it and I am admit my knowledge of downs is very basic.

Are you sure about that?

I remember a woman telling us about her having 2 abortions(long story as to why and not worth repeating as it has no value to the point) and that was because she had 2 brothers with the extreme version of downs. She did not want to go through what her parents went through.

Hardly evidence but I mention it simply I remember it and I am admit my knowledge of downs is very basic.

Down's Syndrome is caused by having an entire extra chromosome - most likely due to an improper division. From what I understand, we're not really sure what causes this to happen, so it very well could be a problem that runs in families.

Mother Nature is quite an architect it definitely opens up boulevards of questions.

Down's Syndrome is caused by having an entire extra chromosome - most likely due to an improper division. From what I understand, we're not really sure what causes this to happen, so it very well could be a problem that runs in families.

I have heard some debate that family history might make someone more likely to have that division happen. But There is nothing approaching consensus.

I have heard some debate that family history might make someone more likely to have that division happen. But There is nothing approaching consensus.

But since we can test for the child to have it; doesn't that paint a better picture?

Down's Syndrome is caused by having an entire extra chromosome - most likely due to an improper division. From what I understand, we're not really sure what causes this to happen, so it very well could be a problem that runs in families.

I went to school with a girl with Down's. Her family had two children, both girls, both with Down's. I think I've always assumed there could be some kind of genetic factor. I don't know what kind of evidence there really is to back it.

there is a down side to everything

I went to school with a girl with Down's. Her family had two children, both girls, both with Down's. I think I've always assumed there could be some kind of genetic factor. I don't know what kind of evidence there really is to back it.

the only down syndrome person I know is my mates sister and as far as I know shes the only one in the family :confused:

I went to school with a girl with Down's. Her family had two children, both girls, both with Down's. I think I've always assumed there could be some kind of genetic factor. I don't know what kind of evidence there really is to back it.

It is still hotly debated.
It is caused by a non inherited chromosome issue.
But certain genetic factors may make it more likely to happen.

Are you sure about that?

I remember a woman telling us about her having 2 abortions(long story as to why and not worth repeating as it has no value to the point) and that was because she had 2 brothers with the extreme version of downs. She did not want to go through what her parents went through.

Hardly evidence but I mention it simply I remember it and I am admit my knowledge of downs is very basic.

I went to school with a girl with Down's. Her family had two children, both girls, both with Down's. I think I've always assumed there could be some kind of genetic factor. I don't know what kind of evidence there really is to back it.

While there isn't a gene you can inherit that gives you Down's Syndrome, I suppose there could be a gene or combination of gene's that makes you more likely to produce a child with Down's Syndrome.

While there isn't a gene you can inherit that gives you Down's Syndrome, I suppose there could be a gene or combination of gene's that makes you more likely to produce a child with Down's Syndrome.

I read somewhere that the age of the mother can influence, although not always, wether a child is born with Down's Syndrome. I'll Google this.

I read somewhere that the age of the mother can influence, although not always, wether a child is born with Down's Syndrome. I'll Google this.

a lot of illnesses are like including the genetic ones.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/down-syndrome/DS00182/DSECTION=causes

What do you know? There's one of the 3 conditions inherent to Down's Syndrome, Translocation Syndrome, that can be inherited from father to child. In men, the risk of passing it is of 3% and in women, 12%. It's kind of like a rearranged genetic material, or excess of it. I had no idea about this.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/down-syndrome/DS00182/DSECTION=causes

What do you know? There's one of the 3 conditions inherent to Down's Syndrome, Translocation Syndrome, that can be inherited from father to child. In men, the risk of passing it is of 3% and in women, 12%. It's kind of like a rearranged genetic material, or excess of it. I had no idea about this.

Hmm. It didn't say which form of Down's it was that had the noticable effect - but - given the statistical prevalence, I have to assume it is present in the most common form.

So, back to square one... I still don't know if it might be genetic. It's still interesting anyway, of course.

Hmm. It didn't say which form of Down's it was that had the noticable effect - but - given the statistical prevalence, I have to assume it is present in the most common form.

Indeed, according to that link, the Down's Syndrome, Translocation, I mentioned is quite rare.

So, back to square one... I still don't know if it might be genetic. It's still interesting anyway, of course.

Medical professionals are not sure what causes it other than a duplicated gene 21.

Indeed, according to that link, the Down's Syndrome, Translocation, I mentioned is quite rare.



Medical professionals are not sure what causes it other than a duplicated gene 21.

Trisomy 21 is the most common and the factors that make it more common are still under debate.

Trisomy 21 is the most common and the factors that make it more common are still under debate.

Ayup, I know. What they do know is that it's a duplicated trisomy 21.