Finally, photos showing “animals with Down syndrome” go viral on social media.The last cases that caught the eye were those of cats (the Tiger Kenny and the Mayan cat), however, you can also find references to dogs with Down syndrome on the Internet.
This type of publication leads many people to wonder if animals can present this genetic alteration in the same way as humans, and even more so, to wonder if there really is a dog with Down syndrome.
In this Animal Expert article, we’ll help you understand what Down syndrome is and clarify if dogs can get it.
Before you know if a dog can have Down syndrome, you should understand what it is and we’re here to help.Down syndrome is a type of genetic alteration that appears only on the number 21 chromosome pair in the human genetic code.
Information about human DNA is expressed through 23 pairs of chromosomes that are organized in such a way that they create a unique structure that is not repeated in any other species, however, this genetic code may eventually change at the time of conception causing the appearance of a third chromosome in what should be the ‘par 21’.In other words, people with Down syndrome have trisomy (three chromosomes) that is specifically expressed on chromosome pair number 21.
This trisomy is expressed both morphologically and intellectually in individuals who suffer from it, people with Down syndrome usually have specific traits that derive from this genetic alteration, in addition to being able to demonstrate problems of growth, muscle toning and cognitive development.not all the characteristics associated with this syndrome will always appear simultaneously in the same individual.
It is still necessary to clarify that Down syndrome is not a disease, but a genetic event that occurs during conception, being an inherent condition to people who have it.In addition, it’s important to realize that people with Down syndrome aren’t intellectually or socially.unable, able to study, learn a trade to enter the labor market, have a social life, form their own personality according to their experiences, tastes and preferences, as well as their interest in many other activities and hobbies.create equitable opportunities to promote social integration of people with Down syndrome, given their specific needs, and not marginalize them as “different” or “incapable.”
No! As we have seen, Down syndrome is a trisomy that is specifically given on the pair of chromosomes 21, which appears only in human genetic information, so it is impossible for there to exist a shitzu dog with Down syndrome or any other breed, as it is.a specific genetic alteration of human DNA.Now you’re probably wondering how there might be dogs that seem to have Down syndrome.
To better understand this situation, the explanation is that the genetic code of animals, including the dog, is also composed of pairs of chromosomes, however, the number of pairs and the way they are organized to form the structure of DNA are unique and unique in each species, in fact, it is precisely this genetic conformation that determines the characteristics that allow the animals to be grouped and classified into different species , in the case of humans, the information contained in DNA is responsible for indicating that it is a human being and does not belong to another species.
Like humans, animals may also have certain genetic changes (including Down syndrome), which can be expressed both by their morphology and behavior, however, these changes will never occur on the pair of chromosomes 21, as they are only found in the human DNA structure.
Mutations in the genetic code of animals can occur naturally during conception, however, ultimately, they are the result of genetic experiments or the practice of inbreeding, as was the case of Kenny, a white tiger from a shelter in Arkansa that died in 2008, shortly..after his case was mistakenly popularized as “the tiger with Down syndrome.”
In short, dogs, like many other animals, may have genetic changes that are expressed in their appearance, however, there is no dog with Down syndrome, because this condition appears only in the human genetic code, that is, it cannot occur..people’s homes.
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