Falling
resources
At a time when there are
more people living with Down syndrome than ever before, funding to
help people with Down syndrome is falling.
Inadequate priority is given to healthcare, developmental and
educational studies that deliver improvements to the lives of people
with Down syndrome today.
Falling research funding to help people with Down syndrome living
today
At a time when there are more people living with
Down syndrome than ever before, funding to help people with Down syndrome
is falling.
Funding for Down syndrome research from one of the world's largest research
funders, the US National Institute for Health has fallen 43% by $10 million
over 5 years.
There are few research groups worldwide dedicated to Down syndrome research and
a lack of young scientists entering the field.
Misplaced resources
Much funding for research relating to Down syndrome aims to devise more accurate
prenatal tests. In the absence of prenatal therapies to assist developing babies
with Down syndrome, the only point to testing is selection for abortion. Why resources
should be focused on identifying and eliminating people who are quite capable of
leading self-fulfilling, productive and enjoyable lives is not clear.
Inadequate interest in people with Down syndrome
Many funders in Europe and the USA emphasise the future promise and broader human
relevance of research into the genetics and neuroscience underlying Down syndrome.
Meanwhile, inadequate priority is given to healthcare, developmental and educational
studies that deliver improvements to the lives of people with Down syndrome today.