Mark Leach is an attorney with a Master's in Bioethics, focusing on health law and public contracts. His interest in bioethics concerns the issues surrounding prenatal testing and Down syndrome.

Research & Potential Treatments for Down Syndrome: What Do You Think?

At the beginning of June, I attended a conference of researchers seeking treatments for conditions associated with Down syndrome. This month, a survey is seeking your input on what you think about treatments for Down syndrome.  Continue Reading

Baby Doe Redux, but even worse

In March, parents trusted their doctors with the care for their son with a very rare condition. The doctors have now convinced courts to rule that death is more beneficial for the child than continued treatment. And, the parents can't do anything about it.  Continue Reading

Adoption: Absolutely Beautiful

Here is a nine-minute video that introduces the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network and its director, Stephanie Thompson.  Continue Reading

Our Story: D.C. & Agitate. Agitate. Agitate. (3 of 3)

This is the third and final installment on our Spring Break trip to Washington, D.C. It concludes with an admonition on what those who would advocate for oppressed groups should do.  Continue Reading

Our Story: D.C. & Traveling with a Child with Down syndrome (2 of 3)

This is the second of three installments about our family's recent tour of D.C. for the kids' Spring Break. The first installment provided a rundown of the many sites we visited. This post will share a message for new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome (but others may appreciate it as well). Continue Reading

Our Story: D.C. & Interconnected Lives (1 of 3)

Spring Break 2017 was spent touring the District of Columbia with an emphasis on National Parks Service sites. Here is the first of three posts inspired by that trip. This post is a rundown of the sites we visited and some of the highlights at each. The next post will have a message for new and expectant parents based on this trip. The final post will seek to learn from these history lessons and apply them to modern day advocacy efforts by and on behalf of those with Down syndrome.  Continue Reading

Presidents’ Day: who did the most for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilites?

It's Presidents' Day: which President did the most for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Continue Reading

Our Story: A tale of two disability support programs

Dickens wrote "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times". In the past 48 hours, I've experienced when a system designed to support individuals with disabilities functions optimally and when it functions absurdly.  Continue Reading

Experimental embryonic stem cell “treatment” for Down syndrome–any ethical issues here?

In New Delhi, India a baby received multiple injections of human embryonic stem cells as an experimental treatment for Down syndrome. Any ethical issues here?  Continue Reading