Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Genetically disadvantaged people - Coggle Diagram
Genetically disadvantaged people
What is genetic disadvantage?
Genetic code
When there's an error in the code, such as a miswritten letter or a mutated strand of genetic information
Usually occurs before birth, similarly to twins forming
Can be created by exposure to radiation or other means of affecting the DNA in a person
Disease
Genetic disadvantage can increase the chance of getting diseases, or cause them
Causing:
Diseases that are passed down through the DNA information are called hereditary, and can be prevented or nullified by genetically modifying the person in their very early months - typically before birth, as it is hard to change a fully developed being
Examples include Treacher Collin's, which is deformity in the creation of skull, cheek, and jaw, and Down Sydrome, which is when someone has a copy of chromosome 21 leading to developmental issues
Getting:
Certain parts of the genes being affected can lead to a higher chance of catching certain diseases.
An example is Turner syndrome, where the person only has one sex gene, an 'X' - this affects females more.
An interesting case is 'X-linked' genes, as these are directly linked to the X sex chromosome. On first thought, these seem as though they would be more common in females, but because females have two X-es, they would need the gene on both halves of the genetic code, and as such these are actually more likely to affect males.
An example of this in pop culture is the character JJ from the TV show 'Speechless' having cerebral palsy, which affects his ability to walk, speak, and control his other bodily movements.
Interestingly, he was actually played by an actor with cerebral palsy, Micah Fowler, except Micah is able to speak.
Whilst it's not thought of as a disease, and not always caused by genes, sexual diversity in terms of homosexuality and gender identity can be seen as a 'deformity' due to it preventing typical human reproduction.
Disability
Ignoring the standardised, common cases of diseases, where many of the population will have a very similar experience with it, a generic deviation may occur when a person is exposed to something such as high-penetration radiation, or some other process that can directly affect DNA and genes.
An example of this may be some gene that controls how the body is built being affected, which would lead to physical deformities, such as incomplete body parts or dysfunctional internal organs.
How are they treated?
In work:
Some neurodivergent people actually can excel at critical thinking, and as such find no problem with actually completing work.
However, due to the stereotypical view of society, they are commonly treated as being unable to work due to their 'illness', and as such struggle to find a job, or at least a well-paying job.
Due to an increasing presence online, though, most people are becoming more aware of the issues neurodivergent people face, and as such may be motivated to be more inclusive.
The portion of neurodivergent people that do struggle to work tend to receive less pay due to their inability to properly complete a task, however some neurodivergent people do get offered compensation for their 'disability'.
Physically deformed people's experience will differ depending on what their deformity actually is
(Non-cognitive, non-active)-ly impaired people:
Have no differing experience from unaffected people, other than maybe being judged somewhat
(Non-cognitive, active)-ly impaired people:
May be unable to work in the physical fields of a job like geology or engineering, but otherwise unaffected
(Cognitive, non-active)-ly impaired people:
May face troubles collaborating or communicating, or troubles being employed in the first place
(Cognitive, active)-ly impaired people:
Will almost definitely face conflicts seeking a job due to limited opportunities and abilities
In personal relationships (family, friends, etc.):
There is a wide range of experiences here
Some of them (like JJ from Speechless) are lucky enough to get a supportive family, and good friendships with their peers
Generally, they are unlikely to face discrimination from their family and the societal construct we define as 'friends', however a (very small) few of them are not particularly supportive and may show no aspect of accepting them for who they are
Some of them are born to an unfit family, or are put into an unfit environment, and thus cannot be properly cared for, and sometimes can be seen as more trouble for their families - though I am unable to find any evidence of this, and even in my head it sounds preposterous
DISCLAIMER:
This is a hard topic to research, and so some of this has no source other than my brain, or what little I have learnt from my Reddit feed.
In regards to 'cures':
Neurodivergence:
While there is no way to prevent this, it can be managed. This is done by talking to a medical expert about your condition, and receiving a prescription for a mind-altering drug. This includes adderall countering the effects of autism.
Physical development:
Often there is some means of equality built into society, such as a ramp to get into an elevated being, or sliding doors at the entrance to a building. While not being a 'cure', it does allow for the disadvantage to no longer impact their abilities in regards to where they may go.
Diseases:
'Genetic therapies', which locate dysfunctions in the genetic code and eliminate them, are one of the few processes that can be practised on a human at any stage in their development (depending on the malfunction), and are designated specifically for preventing diseases such as Down Syndrome, or re-lowering the risk of diseases such as cancer.
How should they be treated?
Consider:
Justice:
Everyone should have equal rights to:
Opportunities (e.g. travel, luxury, etc.)
Education
Employment
Social life
Support as necessary (aides, communication devices, etc.)
In equity rather than equality, genetically disadvantaged people would always have:
Support as they wish
Genetic editing as they wish
The opportunity to merely decide how people treat them, as they wish
Practicality:
It may be impossible to, or we may have insufficient resources to:
Help every person who needs help
Actually 'cure' genetic disadvantages, outside of selective breeding (and the Germans tried that in WWII)
Properly raise society's awareness to these issues
Give genetically disadvantaged people what they want (in terms of cures, aid, etc.)
'Cures':
If we were to develop the technology seen in
GATTACA
, should we use it in the way they do?
Is it ethical to effectively force children to be genetically prefect?
Is that sort of society, where everyone must be 'perfect', actually better than it is now?
We are likely to make large advances in medical technologies over the coming years.
Genetically disadvantaged people should definitely have the option to be modified.
It should not be compulsory, as people may prefer to be divergent, or they may simply not like that sort of technology.
How is
Gattaca
connected?
I- it's literally the plot. ... Look, it's 11:22 at night and I want to go to bed. There's really nothing worth elaborating on. It's the entire plot. There. There's your connection.