Should Congress spend more on Down syndrome research?

“Congress fails on Down syndrome,” Dec. 31 editorial.

There remains a significant and persistent disparity in federal funding for Down syndrome research. Fortunately, at the recent hearing on Down syndrome referenced in the editorial, there was overwhelming bipartisan support for increased federal funding.

As Congress finalizes the final fiscal year 2018 spending bill, we are hopeful, thanks to the strong support of Sens. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Reps. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., that the bill will include a recommendation to provide a significant increase in federal funding for Down syndrome research and launch a new trans-NIH initiative that studies immune system dysregulation and Down syndrome.

We are deeply grateful for their support, as well as the bipartisan support from the Colorado congressional delegation.

Denver The writer is president and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. ●●●

It is so easy to say that “Lawmakers should greatly increase Down syndrome funding” to reduce the curse of this disease. That is a wonderful objective, but what about cancer, heart disease, opioid addiction and other conditions? Should we “greatly increase” funding for those? How much?

Context is necessary. It would be wonderful to control or eliminate all threats to our health. We may be able to do more or do it more effectively. But if we all want to live forever in perfect health, we will need more than editorials.

Newport Beach, Calif. The writer is executive director of Americans for Free Choice in Medicine.