RE: Down Syndrome and Radiation Exposure

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	Down Syndrome could be caused by high radiation doses degrading
the immune system, availability of repair enzymes, or other biological
defense mechanisms. There is excellent evidence that high level radiation
causes cancer and genetic effects by degrading these biological defense
mechanisms, and that radiation initiating aberrations is a minor effect.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Thu, 10 Jun 1999, Karam, Andrew wrote:

> I believe that Down Syndrome is caused by having three copies of Chromosome
> #21.  I do not see how this can be considered an effect of radiation
> exposure.  
> 
> According to my genetics text, it is caused by "...nondisjunction of
> chromosome 21 during meiosis...Following fertilization with a normal gamete,
> the trisomic condition is created."
> 
> Andy
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