Topic > Why cosmetic surgery is not an answer to Down syndrome

Introduction Down syndrome is a genetic disease that affects the mind and causes physical disability. It is caused by the irregular division of cells resulting in the formation of a complete or extra chromosome. A normal person should have 21 pairs of chromosomes, but people with Down syndrome have extra chromosomes (Suzedelis, 2006). The extra chromosome alters a person's genetic makeup and this affects normal growth. Notable physical characteristics of a person with Down syndrome include; short stature, feline cry, flat forehead, flat nasal crest and a unique crease on the palm (Ndss. 2014). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As stated earlier, Down syndrome alters a person's physical attributes, specifically it causes a person to have a funny face. There is a growing debate about whether parents of children with Down syndrome should have their children undergo cosmetic surgery to make them more attractive. Supporters of the surgery argue that the surgery is necessary to help children become more conventional and minimize bullying from their peers. It increases the self-esteem of those affected as other people begin to see them as normal people. Critics of cosmetic surgery believe that performing the surgery will bring ethical concerns to those affected. It is the desire of all parents to give birth to perfect, healthy children who have no birth defects. Unfortunately, some parents are not lucky as they give birth to children with disorders such as Down syndrome. The frustration of having a child with a physical disability pushes them to look for alternative ways to correct the defect. Parents want to protect their children from social stigma, especially from their peers. Furthermore, they believe that when their children grow up, they will have esteem problems. However, parents should realize that having children with Down syndrome is not a curse but a normal thing. This article aims to take a stand on the controversial issue and explain why parents should not take their children with Down syndrome to undergo cosmetic surgery. Using insights from previous research, the paper will provide negative factors that will cause parents to consider their position regarding corrective surgery for their children. Parents should realize that the decision to undergo corrective surgery should be a consultative move involving many stakeholders. For example, they should seek advice from health experts, other parents who have had the surgery, affected children, and even relevant government agencies. More importantly, they should seek the opinion of the child with Down syndrome because he/she is directly affected by the surgery. Therefore, they should not make the decision to perform the surgery hastily without waiting to hear the child's opinion. It is therefore advisable for parents to wait until they are old enough to make decisions and then take a stand before proceeding with the surgery. Additionally, they can learn from other parents who have had surgery on their children. If they realize that the positive effects of the intervention outweigh the negative ones, then they can proceed with the intervention. However, if they realize that the surgery has led to further complications, they should abandon it. This means that parents should not completely abandon the decision to undergo the surgery.