Science Down syndrome even in chimpanzees - already discovered the second case

Down syndrome is a chromosome defect in humans. Human cells usually contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, a total of 46. In Down syndrome, sufferers have a third copy of chromosome 21, which is why the defect is also called trisomy 21.

The chimpanzee with trisomy 22
Chimpanzees and other apes usually have 24 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 48. However, chimpanzee Kanako has three copies of chromosome 22 instead of two.

Chimpanzees are closely related to humans. They also get similar diseases and defects as humans. (Ronnie Howard / fotolia.com)

Close relatives
Chimpanzees are our closest relatives after bonobos. In social behavior, chimpanzees show great similarities with humans. They make tools with a certain systematic approach, can learn many concepts of the symbolic language and, according to some researchers, possess the idea of ​​a self.

Empathy-capable primates
In particular, they have the capacity for empathy in the sense that they can imagine the feelings of others, so that they can somehow infiltrate others, which was explicitly human until the time of Jane Goodall's research.

Similar diseases
Due to their close relationship to humans, they also have many diseases, disorders and genetic defects that are similar or very similar to ours.

infection risk
Glass panels instead of bars in zoological gardens not only serve to provide better visibility, but also to prevent apes from becoming infected with human viruses and bacteria.

What are the symptoms of the chimpanzee??
Kanako suffers from heart disease, badly developed teeth and looks bad. At the age of one year she squinted and went blind at seven. However, the researchers know too little about the chromosomes in apes to clearly attribute these symptoms to the defect.

The researcher Satoshi Hirata also emphasizes that as a baby, she did not show any significant disturbances in the development of her behavior.

social behaviour
Kanako usually remains separated from other chimpanzees because their guards fear that their peers may behave aggressively toward them. However, the chimpanzee Roman, who grew up with Kanako, is very friendly to her.

Only the second case
Only a few years ago scientists identified a triple copy of chromosome 22 in chimpanzees, namely 1969. To date, it is unknown how widespread the defect is in wild chimpanzees.

As common as humans?
According to Hirata, trisomy 21 occurs in people in one in 600 births, and the likelihood of chimpanzee disorder could be as high. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)