Introduction
Attention: What if we could invested in research that could better the scientific understanding of SMA that could lead to a breakthrough in treatment that will strengthen infant’s bodies, extend life, and lead to a cure for their illness.
Topic: Today, I am going to discuss a horrible disease, called Spinal Muscular Atrophy that plagues our children in the world today.
Importance: This disease is the number one genetic cause of death in infants in America today. Credibility: I have been actively involved in fundraising money for research after my cousin passed away from SMA at only 18 months old.
Preview: I will be discussing what SMA is, who it affects and how each one of us could help …show more content…
Babies with SMA often cannot move, speak, or even swallow on their own.
B.) This disease is the number one genetic killer in infants.
a. Type 1 SMA (severe) targets newborns and infants
b. Type 2 SMA (intermediate) targets infants and toddlers
c. Type 3 SMA (mild) targets toddlers to childhood
d. Type 4 SMA is rare, it targets adults
C.) On the Cleveland Clinic website, I found an article titled “Spinal Muscular Atrophy” published in 2017. The Cleveland Clinic is one of the largest and most respected hospital in current research (statistics).
a. Every 1 in 50 people carries the SMA gene. Several of us sitting in this classroom could be carrying this gene.
b. Seventy-five million Americans are estimated to be carriers of the spinal muscular atrophy gene. All it takes is two people carrying this gene to produce a child that is affected with SMA. If a parent has the SMA gene, their children will be carriers of the gene as well.
c. One in every 6,000 to 10,000 babies worldwide is born with SMA
d. More than 25,000 Americans are believed to suffer from spinal muscular atrophy
Transition: Finding a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy will be an essential step to prevent and find a way to stop genetically spreading this