Genetic Testing Reduces Number of Babies With Inherited Diseases

From CEC Smartbrief: The widespread adoption of prenatal genetic testing has resulted in the decline of infants born with cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders, according to this Associated Press analysis. Although genetic screening raises moral issues including abortion and embryo destruction, some couples and ethnic groups are using it to prevent diseases from being passed on. Go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/17/AR2010021700003.html for the entire article.

CDC: Down Syndrome Cases At Birth Increased

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the total number of cases of Down Syndrome at birth in the US increased by 24.2% from 1979-1983 to 1999-2003 in 10 regions. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdownsyndrome/ for the full article.

Parents Rank Schools on Emotional Support for Students

From CEC SmartBrief: A recent report by University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital included results of a survey given to parents asking how well schools responded to the emotional and behavioral needs of students. Results showed only one-third gave primary schools an A, and less than 25% gave secondary schools an A. The report concluded that if funds are restricted to instructional services at the expense of emotional and behavioral supports, student learning may suffer. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog (1/20)

BBB Alerts Consumers About U.S. Census Workers

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. Learn more at http://www.bbb.org/

Access to School Athletics for Students with Disabilities is Investigated

Demand for inclusive sports is on the rise, and the investigative arm of Congress is looking into how schools provide access to sports for students who have disabilities. While federal law prohibits the exclusion of students with disabilities from school sports, no standards are in place to help schools determine how best to provide physical education and athletic opportunities for such students. A Maryland law passed last year may provide a model for other states.

Link to Education Week article "GAO Probes Access of Students with Disabilities to Sports": http://bit.ly/4yplf3

Though Research is Promising, Some Would Not Treat Down Syndrome

According to new research, scientists have been able to alleviate cognitive problems in mice that were genetically engineered to exhibit symptoms similar to Down syndrome. Scientists administered a drug that boosts a chemical messenger in the brain. But a new survey shows that nearly 60% of parents say they might choose not to treat their children who have Down syndrome even if there was a cure for the disorder, a Canadian survey showed.

Link to LA Times blog Booster Shots article "Is a wonder pill necessarily wonderful for people with down syndrome?": http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/11/down-syndrome-treatment.html

Link to MIT Technology Review article "Potential Treatment for Down Syndrome": http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23979/?a=f

Down Syndrome Terminations May Be Double Reported Rate

Link to Article: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2009/11/10/down-syndrome-terminations/6117/

By Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop Online - Women who learn prenatally that they are carrying a child with Down syndrome may be having abortions in twice the numbers officially reported, a British registry of Down syndrome statistics suggests. The group estimates that there were 4,777 terminations following a Down syndrome diagnosis between 2004 and 2008 compared to Department of Health numbers indicating that 2,168 during that same period, reports the (London) Daily Mail.

See the link above to read the entire article.