A world without Down Syndrome?.

Date:
2016
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About this work

Description

To begin, presenter Sally Phillips visits Kings College, London, to shadow the ultrasound process for expectant mothers. Expert in foetal medicine Professor Kypros Nicolaides explains the reasons behind the focus on Down Syndrome (DS) when developing more effective screening processes for expectant mothers. Phillips consults various contemporary leaflets provided by the NHS for expectant mothers of babies with DS, and explains the genetic differences between a neurologically typical person, and a person with Down Syndrome. She then visits a pregnant woman who has chosen not to screen her child for the condition. Phillips meets Actor Liam Bairstow on the set of the British soap opera Coronation Street, who talks about his experiences being an actor and celebrity with DS. Phillips and her son, Olly, visit Professor Sue Buckley, who discusses inclusion for children with DS in mainstream education. Phillips uses visual aids to explain the statistics behind typical Down Syndrome screening procedures. She then visits Professor of Genetics and Foetal Medicine Lyn Chitty at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who exhibits and discusses a new non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for DS, which has a 99% accuracy. Phillips visits Halldóra Jónsdóttir, an Icelandic woman with DS, at an exhibition by Photographer Sigga Ella, which comprises portraits of some of Icelands remaining people with the condition. She then visits Neurologist Kári Stefánsson, who debates the ethics behind increasingly accurate screening tests for expectant mothers. Phillips discusses the social impact of media headlines biased against Down Syndrome. She then attends a talk to NHS midwives and nurses by Blogger Hayley Goleniowska discussing methods for diagnosing infants with DS. Phillips visits Jane Fisher, who runs a helpline for pregnant women who have been screened positive for a baby with DS. She then visits a woman who chose to terminate a pregnancy due to a positive screening. She describes the abortion process, and they discuss Olympic Gymnast Chelsea Werner. Phillips visits Razib Khan, who sequenced his unborn childs complete DNA. She then visits Professor of Genetics George Church, and after this, Down Syndrome advocate Karen Gaffney. To end, Phillips organises a flash mob comprising members of the Down Syndrome community.

Publication/Creation

2016.

Physical description

1 DVD (60 min.) : sound, colour, PAL ; 12 cm

Copyright note

BBC Productions.

Notes

Originally broadcast on 5th October 2016 on BBC 4.
Comedian Sally Phillips explores the social and ethical aspects surrounding bringing up children with Down Syndrome, with focus on her son, Olly, who has Down Syndrome himself. Home footage of Phillips family is interspersed throughout.

Creator/production credits

Filmed, produced and directed by Clare Richards.
Presented by Sally Phillips.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
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