There is a serious genetic deviation which is reflected in intellectual abilities of the person. Edwards Syndrome prevents human brain from functioning normally, and it results in intellectual disability. Many other organs also work incorrectly. Since 1960’s, it was discovered that Edwards Syndrome is the consequence of the extra copy of a chromosome which actually should not be there.
The scientists also call this disability Trisomy 18 due to the extra copy of chromosome it causes. As you might probably know, it is common for a healthy cell to carry just 2 copies of every chromosome we have. Chromosome 18 means there are 3 chromosomes formed instead of two required. This syndrome is as serious that just ten percent of the diseased newborn babies manage to survive one year long while others die within week one from their birth.
There should be 23 pairs of chromosomes in our body cells. These cells’ purpose is to bring the genes responsible for the way people develop and grow intellectually. How does this package of DNA appear? Well, an egg and a sperm of the parents join to create a new life. A single chromosome from each partner is contributed to the process. But what if a baby obtains three chromosomes?