Plastic Surgery on children with Syndrom of Down

[Nightrafe]

What do you think about plastic surgery on children with the Syndrom of Down. They straighten their faces, correct their nose and eyes.
It has only be legalized in the states. Do you think this is ethical correct?

I'm against it, I think it's only something for the parents. For parents who don't accept the handicap of their own child.

Nightrafe Reviewed by Nightrafe on 11-11-2007. Plastic Surgery on children with Syndrom of Down What do you think about plastic surgery on children with the Syndrom of Down. They straighten their faces, correct their nose and eyes. It has only be legalized in the states. Do you think this is ethical correct? I'm against it, I think it's only something for the parents. For parents who don't accept the handicap of their own child. Rating: 5

[KingsBlend420]

I think it should be used if only the patient is okay with it. Parents shouldn't have any choice on whether or not it happens, if the patient is stable enough to consent to the operation then it should be allowed and it isn't unethical if it's used that way. However, if it's up to the parents, then yes, it's kind of shallow of them and completely unethical.

[geonagual]

It would make their life easier i would imagine..if the patient gives consent then why not.

[JDMBoy420]

its their face..why cant they...? :buzz_saw:

[Nightrafe]

They do it with young children, they prefer to do it as soon as possible. Like when they're 2 or 3 years old. A child has not the possibility to decide if they want it or not on that age. I don't think it would make their life easier: they can change their face, but not the mental lag. People with the Syndrom of Down have a mental lag.
When they change the appearance of them: they will be looked at as 'normal' people, but when they start to speak, they will rather be designated as retarded people, while they're not.

[JDMBoy420]

Well just because they have that syndrome doesnt mean they have to LOOK like it.
if that was the case all the idiots in the world should wear dunce caps, so we know they are idiots before they speak.. lol.

[dragonrider]

I don't think it is ethical. It's medically unnecessary and something the parents do to hide the fact that their child has a medical problem.

[Chong Version 2.0]

Abort the kid and try again dammit.

[Ghengis Chron]

I don't think they should have to feel like they have to get surgery to look like 'normal'. I think that's odd.

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I find it a bit odd that they'd do it when they're a kid. I assume the medical professionals know what they're doing, but I'd think you'd want to do the surgery after the person is an adult and fully grown into their face.

But as for the ethics, I think it's fine if the person with down syndrome decided to do it themselves, maybe when they're 16 or so, an adult if you preferre.

As for "looking the part", that's really not necessary. People with down syndrome actually tend to have 2 advantages above those with other mental handicaps; The first being that their linguistic skills while simple, don't really sound all that "gibbled".
The second, is that they actually have an advantage above the rest of us! Folk with down syndrome are actually much less predisposed to depression, and actually much more prone to be happier than the average person. I'm just talking neurochemically, that's not to say circumstances can't make someone feel like crap of course. Still, as somebody who has to constantly work to keep severe depression at bay, I rather envy them in this sense.

all the idiots in the world should wear dunce caps, so we know they are idiots before they speak.. lol.

I think you have something here! Could you imaine, a president with a dunce cap?