DNA Collections - Criminal Justice or Civil Rights Issue?

I read with great interest about the new federal law that will help fund DNA collection.  It's a bipartisan bill, signed by President Obama, and Governor Walker is happy about it, as is our Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.  The fact that it's a bipartisan bill, I think it's hopeful that this will help with our current criminal justice system in the State of Wisconsin.

Currently, only felons and sex offenders convicted are tested for DNA.  Now, upon arrest, depending on what they are being brought in for, will determine if they get DNA tested or not.  Those accused of felonies, sex crimes and conviction of other certain misdemeanors will have to have a test.  As an advocate for those who are sexually abused in any way, shape or form, I fully agree that this is a good idea.  Sometimes, trauma is so bad, that you may not remember all of the details.  Or, the perpetrators are so dangerous, you are afraid to report or testify.  All perpetrators will say that it either didn't happen, or that it was consensual.  The test will confirm that it did happen.

Yet, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wants to state something of the sort that it's still an expensive process, and that we won't get half the money we need to fund the cause.  Well, lets look at it this way.  Currently, we may have to take MORE out of the schools, gang prevention, prisons, and more to cover the cost.  If we start doing DNA testing right off the bat, those who really are innocent would be let out ASAP, thus saving tax money that otherwise would have gone to detain this person.  If this person matches the DNA in the crime, then the trial can begin right away, thus saving even MORE tax money that won't clog up the courts, and off to the speedy trial we are supposed to have.  The efficiency it leaves behind will ensure that more funds are available in a relatively short amount of time, and then will go forth to save even more money, so, the small amount of help will actually be huge, and the amount we spend now will reduce even further.

Think about how much time the police and other investigators will save because now they don't need to chase nearly as many fleeting leads or other vague evidence?  The DNA will be there clearly.  It's a good thing.  Right?

Well, the civil rights advocates want to talk about how this is an invasion of privacy, and how not enough money could help pay for this.  Invasion of privacy?  Really?  There is already probable cause to be arrested in the first place.  So, if you were to be arrested for a heinous crime, and you knew that you were innocent, and then DNA could absolve you, wouldn't you give the DNA sample?  What if you or your loved ones were violated beyond what could be imagined, and there are two possible suspects?  Wouldn't you want them to be tested so the right one gets it?  Oh, but no.  Arrested suspects of probable cause might get their feelers hurt, because DNA testing might invade part of their privacy.

I guess this is why it's the criminal justice system, not the victim defense system.  It's too bad, because seriously?  We need to bring the non-violent criminals out and put the violent ones in.  I just hope that common sense can catch up with everything.

Let's Go Dutch. What Does It Mean?

Everyone understands the meaning of going Dutch.  It usually means that on a date, you split the cost, rather than having one person pay for the whole thing. 

Anyway, I have some conservative friends, some who are quite intelligent, well spoken, and are good people in every way.  I got this email from one of my conservative friends who is NOT so smart, nor well spoken, though I think he means well (though I wouldn’t always bet on it…).  This email is definitely NOT about sharing the cost of anything.

So, I’m wondering if this means that we are to split the blame, or, if like me, you seem to think that this does sound a bit paranoid extreme?

THIS IS A MESSAGE THAT SHOULD BE READ BY ALL AMERICAN’S.

IN ORDER FOR AMERICA TO SURVIVE THE INFLUX AND INFLUENCE OF THE ISLAMIC MUSLIM RACE,,,, WE AMERICAN’S MUST “NOW” RE-THINK OUR IMMERGRATION LAWS, AS THIS EMAIL ARTICAL PORTRAYS?  

BY LETTING AN AVERSALIAL RACE OF PEOPLE,  SUCH AS THE ISLAMIC MUSLIM’S AND THEIR SHARI LAWS, IN OUR FRONT DOOR, TO PROPERGATE AND ROOT ITSELF, ATTEMPTING IN DISTROYING OUR AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE, IS JUST PLAIN STUPID.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR EMAIL RECIPIENTS, WITH HOPES THEY WILL DO THE SAME.

Let’s Go Dutch

Let’s Go With the Dutch – but why wait until 2013?

The Netherlands , where six per cent of the population is now Muslim, is scrapping multiculturalism:

The Dutch government says it will abandon the long-standing model of multiculturalism that has encouraged Muslim immigrants to create a parallel society within the Netherlands ..

A new integration bill, which Dutch Interior Minister Piet Hein Donner presented to parliament on June 16, reads:

“The government shares the social dissatisfaction over the multicultural society model and plans to shift priority to the values of the Dutch people.

In the new integration system, the values of the Dutch society play a central role.” With this change, the government steps away from the model of a multicultural society.

The letter continues: “A more obligatory integration is justified because the government also demands that from its own citizens.

It is necessary because otherwise the society gradually grows apart and eventually no one feels at home anymore in the Netherlands ..
The new integration policy will place more demands on immigrants.

For example, immigrants will be required to learn the Dutch language and the government will take a tougher approach to immigrants who ignore Dutch values or disobey Dutch law.”

The government will also stop offering special subsidies for Muslim immigrants because, according to Donner; “It is not the government’s job to integrate immigrants.”(How bloody true).

The government will introduce new legislation that outlaws forced marriages and will also impose tougher measures against Muslim immigrants who lower their chances of employment by the way they dress. More specifically, the government will impose a ban on face-covering, Islamic burqas as of January 1, 2013.

Holland has done that whole liberal thing, and realized – maybe too late – that creating a nation of tribes will kill the nation itself. The future of Australia , the United States , UK and Canada may well be read here.

NOTE: Muslim immigrants leave their countries of birth because of civil and political unrest “CREATED BY THE VERY NATURE OF THEIR CULTURE.”
Countries such as Holland , Canada , the UK and Australia have an established way of life that actually works, so why embrace the unworkable?

If Muslims do not wish to accept another culture, the answer is simple; “STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!” “Or go back to where you were!”

Only 86% will send this on. Should be a 100%.

Then I hate the way they misuse this quote:

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

Thing is, it’s definitely written by someone who is uneducated, because with all of the misspelled words,  as well as redundant phrases, it sounds like a hickabilly drop out that wrote it.  So, here is what I wrote back.

Who comes up with this uneducated stuff?  Islamic Muslims? Is that like Christianity Christian?  I find it highly uneducated to even consider taking it seriously.

So he tells me this:

It’s people like you that the muslims are counting on.

I went off, because, he’s lumping them all as one, and well, it’s this simple minded paranoid hate that gets me irritated to no end: 

Nope.  The hateful people on the planet, regardless of religion, race, ethnic background, etc will be evil and hateful.  It’s ignorance of those who lump all people of similar descent together as a group of people to be ostracized or exterminated are the ones that are keeping hate as a lifestyle aside.  It’s one thing to hold the criminals accountable.  But, it’s the type of thinking that says all Germans are Nazis; or all Italians are mafia pimping mobster; All Jewish are greedy, money brubbing bastards; including all Muslims are not to be treated as sub human are all ways that the hate stays alive.

 I’m not saying that if a person who is acting in illegal capacities should be let go.  I am saying that you CAN’T assume that just because someone is a Muslim or Hispanic, that these people must be terrorists or illegal alien just spreads the crap around further.

If someone is going to try to convince me that I should have some contempt toward a group of people, they should not send me something that is a cutesy-cutsey way of uneducated bigotry.  “Islamic Muslim” = “Christianity Christian” = redundant.

Being a Muslim is part of the earthly culture.  Terrorism is a terrible crime.  To equate the two is paranoia, a mental illness.  If you insist on being hateful because of this, you’re not friend of mine. 

 This reminds me of the people who lived through WWII, upon finding out that I am half Japanese, called me unAmerican and freedom hater, even though I am half American myself, and I wasn’t even born during the war…  So, why blame me for something I had nothing to do with because of some stupid thinking that because one person in the Government decided to go against Nazi Germany to wake the sleeping giant, that every person of Japanese descent must be anti-American is just plain absurd paranoia.  This hate that you have toward all Muslims is sharing that same sentiment.  If you don’t understand this, then you don’t understand me as a person.  In that  case, you are not my friend.  I am sorry.

And oh, the hurt!  (Not really, but, this guy happens to be a drama queen).

WOW – there you go again like you use to do in the blogs. Taking an extreem position after making an extreem statement that is an extreem distortion. Who mentioned ‘hate’ other than you. I sent you a fact message and you are ignoring the facts of what muslims ARE doing all over the world. Take your head out of the sand – friend. Stating facts is NOT hatred.

Excuse me?  I made extreme statements and made an extreme statement?  A fact message about 4 possible countries, 2 in Europe and supposedly 2 here in North America, and this is happening in the whole world? Um…  Okay.

I can’t speak for the Dutch.  If you haven’t noticed, the USA is built on multi-culturalism.  To scrap it here means you disrespect the fact.

 The fact that you’re not saying certain factions, this “fact message” about what “Muslims are doing all over the world’ is an extreme stance, to which you grant no exceptions.  THAT is putting your head in the stand.  Go ahead, talk about how all Muslims are evil, and how Islam should be restricted some how.  This is the republican rhetoric that is bat crap crazy, imo.

The facts are, there are no government subsidies specifically for Muslims, outside of the Muslim countries.  The Government has never integrated immigrants from the beginning.  Here is a page with 3 links about the tax breaks for Muslims being false, here in the USA – http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=tax+breaks+for+Muslims&x=31&y=15&sp-a=00062d45-sp00000000&sp-advanced=1&sp-p=all&sp-w-control=1&sp-w=alike&sp-date-range=-1&sp-x=any&sp-c=100&sp-m=1&sp-s=0

Please read it all, not just the seen exerpt, where you will see that the first on is false, and the second is probably false.  The third one, well, there’s some true, some false, it’s mixed, and it looks pretty damning about Hilary, but, she’s a big girl and can account for herself, so I won’t make excuses for her.
Yes, SOME Muslims are bad.  So are we, as Christians bad, because of the Westboro Baptist Church and the Phelps family are such bad bigots?  Or that all of us Christians are bad because of the Holy Wars in Eastern Europe?  Oh, this is different?  No.  All Muslims are evil in the same way that all Christians are.  You can’t judge the whole faith off of one group of people.  That is common sense, not sticking my head in the sand.  If you want to lump all of one group together, you’re the one that needs to take your head out of the sand.

This isn’t about extreme position.  This is about reality.  The original story is not fact, it’s trying to be cute about spreading rhetoric that’s only partially true.

But, of course, I’m still the one who doesn’t “get it”…  As if?

Now come on Lika – read it again – “Muslims are doing all over the world’ “.  Do you see the words ‘all muslims’ in there, yet that is what you are implyingt I said. They are trying to establish sharia law thru out the world including a city right here in Michagan. These are facts.

Facts?  All over the world?  I read it again, it states that it’s happening in the Netherlands, the UK, Australia and Canada.  Okay, so these 4 countries are the whole world?  Really?  *sigh*  I really don’t know why I try helping this guy understand reality.  It’s sad.  Maybe I’m a basket case for wanting to see things improve with his logic skills?  But, then again, it’s not like I don’t run out of steam…  So, I tell him this:

You do realize that it’s ridiculous to think that anyone would be successful here in the USA to try to enforce Sharia law?  Our Constitution, which is an awesome document, in it’s bill of rights, states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” – it also means that with the freedom that comes with that free exercise of, comes the responsibilities that no religion will enforce power onto the government creating a religious politics either?

Just because the Dutch were dumb enough to allow for some of that to happen, and then now has to fight it off, well, here in the USA, as barbaric as we may be in some way or another, it just won’t happen here.  I have faith in the American people and our U.S. Government (however corrupt or not it may be) that this will NEVER succeed.  American women won’t have it, and, I believe liberal and conservative alike would join forces to ensure that it won’t.

And, seriously?  The Muslims aren’t doing it in Hungary, nor are they doing it in Japan.  It’s not happening in  Russia (where most people are Catholic), nor is it happening in China (where most people are Buddhist), so saying that one city in Michigan, UK, and Canada, does NOT constitute “all over the world”.  That’s such a huge exaggeration, I
still cannot take it seriously.

On top of which, it reads like a Louisiana pig farmer wrote it, with all of the spelling errors, redundant phrases, etc…  Dude, I know you’re smarter than that.  I’m just asking that if
you’re going to send me something of that sort, to please make sure it has some validity in it by being written in an intelligent way, not from a swampy bumpkin.

So, what YOU think?  Is he right for thinking that this email is true, or am I nuts for even talking to his person?  Let me know what you think…  Curious minds want to know.

Christians and Giving. Not Just for Christmas.

Last week Saturday, my son and I went to a Saturday evening church service to read the lessons during advent.  It was short and sweet, looking forward to the birth of Christ.

Yes, I know, it may not have been December 25th.  I am not here to argue that point, because the point is, Jesus was born.  That's the important part of the message.

The part of the service that interested me the most was that of the Gospel.  John the Baptist, who went out before God, to baptize people in the name of God, even got arrested for it, but stayed faithfully strong through everything.

 In Luke 3:7-18, groups of people came in crowds, masses, to be baptized by him, for what ever their own purposes were.  John tells them to be the good fruit worthy of repentance, because even one that comes from a line of good blood won't help you if you're the rotten fruit that spoils the bushel.  Now, what was so interesting about this particular lesson?  Well, it's about the masses asking John the Baptist, "What shall we do?" And John basically tells them that whom ever has extra share with those who don't have.  For example, those with 2 coats should give one to someone who doesn't have one.  If you have extra food, you should give it to someone who has nothing to eat.  Tax collectors, which can be interpreted today as politicians/government to only take what is meant for them to take.  Soldiers (which can be our law enforcement people as well as military, but would be most public workers) should be satisfied with what they make.

Now, mind you, this isn't about gathering the Christmas spirit by saying that it's only this time of year to be generous or humble.  This is something to live as part of our daily routine, to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.  It struck me as very interesting, because I'd had a certain couple of ladies wonder if I was missing something when I disagreed with them about people and/or corporations making as much money as they wanted.  I don't see that message here in the Gospel.  These couple of ladies always tried to find a way to chastise me in a certain blogging area that I don't participate in any more, because some of them were like talking to a brick wall that spit cement back.

I'm just wondering, now, if people who head the corporations are allowed to "make as much money as they want", how are the contributing to the fact that if they have extra, they should give it to someone who doesn't have?  It's one thing to be charitable, because in reality, there will always be someone who is in need, and they should get the help that they want to get up onto their feet.  This does NOT mean that we can help everyone, because some plain do not want to be helped.

But, in the case of those who are capable of doing something, and just fell flat on their face at some point, and need a hand up, to me, rather than "making as much money as I want", just to look good in public by 'giving away' a portion of my extra, it would make more sense to spend my extra by offering this person a job, where they can feel proud to earn what they received.

Some corporate top leaders rake in millions, maybe even billions.  Them giving about $10grand is a piece of cake, it's not even close to being the extra.  That's only a portion of their extra.  Yet how many people right now are hurting for something?  Everyone is in need all over, it seems.  Unemployment is high, and there is a skills gap.  We finally got something going to try to close that gap.

I am finally happy that our governor, Scott Walker, is now going to tame down his far right controversial law making practices, and do things that are for ALL people of Wisconsin, which is to help us stabilize the economy by ensuring that there are enough jobs for those who can work, but also to grant those who want to be trained in the fields that need people can be trained in those skills.  Because seriously?  It takes more work to try to figure out ways to jump through the hoops to try to defraud the system, than it is to actually work for a living.  The accomplishment of working for your own keep is a satisfactory feeling as well.  

With more people able to get an education with the grants, the better off we will be.  Many of our baby boomers are on their way to retiring.  That leaves a LOT of positions with skills needed to be filled, and not necessarily ones that our current unemployed workers are qualified to take.  With this, we can ensure that more of us can live up to the expectation of helping those around us.

And while we're at it, lets all remember, those who won't work, won't eat.  If one can't, well, that's why we are here to help.  If one can, but refuse, that's a choice, and we MUST remember that we can't help everyone, because one who won't work won't appreciate or take your help, either.

Merry Christmas to everyone.  One last note...  You don't have to be Christian, or even religious, to care about people.  Helping people in need when you are able to do so is not about obeying a request from a higher power.  It's about doing the right thing, because it feels good to do so.

Domestic Terrorists: Gun Control or Gun Rights?

In the recent time, we have experienced yet another tragedy, where there was a single person on a shooting spree that has killed several people, including children, mothers, friends, and more. Now there are heated debates on how to settle these types of tragedies. On one side, there are those who say that we ought to encourage more gun ownership. Really? It did the mother a lot of good, when the very guns she had in her own home was used against her.

I do have to wonder, though, is what would happen? So, teachers bring guns to school. For what purpose? Escalate the violence? And what about the safety of the children, should they get their hands on it? If the teachers lock it up, what good is it for when the next attacker comes in to shoot up the school? And if that never happens, why are we paranoid for the "just in case"? Stop and think about it... this is NOT a logical answer because it's your last minute knee jerk reaction, and it makes little sense. It strikes me as weird, when many of our conservatives say that guns don't kill people, people kill people. Sure. True, only to a point. Some methods are better than others. In a recent attack in China, there was a man who ran into a school with a large knife, and stabbed 27 people. All of them survived. Yet all of the shooting victims died. 

Obviously, the gun played a large part in how the people died vs. lived. On the other hand, we talk about gun control. Seriously, what, exactly is gun control? To regulate the ownership and sales? Okay, so... we make more laws about how to sign up and get one, and keep closer track of who has one and who doesn't. Then what? So we make it more difficult for honest people to get them? Then what? The burglars and the black market still have their stash, and it's not going to slow down any time too soon. That's such a delayed reaction, it's NOT funny. In a more realistic way, we need to ensure that we are paying closer attention at WHO is getting their hands on these weapons. 

Sure, we could try to take them away from "gang-bangers". But, if you noticed, the shooter at the Connecticut school was NOT a gangster. The shooter at the Brookfield Spa in Milwaukee was not a gangster. The shooter at the Sikh Temple, while a white supremacist, wasn't exactly what you'd call a gangster. The shooter at the Colorado movie theater was not a gangster. Neither was the shooter in Minneapolis. Nor Columbine.  

Here are some scary statistics about who is the guilty party of these mass shootings. This talks about how there is usually a lone shooter, and more than 4 victims died. About half are work related, though the other half is public. Most are white male, though there was one woman. It's very scary that most of these people obtained the guns LEGALLY. And 68 were semiautomatic, and another 35 were assault weapons. 20 revolvers, and 19 shotguns... so, I would say that it would make more sense if we controlled what types of guns were legal for private use. If you think about it, semiautomatics are also pretty common in the military, and assault weapons are made for one thing, and one thing only. It's to hurt people. Nothing more. So, why not keep the revolvers and shotguns, and keep the rest under lock and key? And stop coming after us honest people for our weapons, we are not the problem. 

We need to figure out a way to make rules about certain things w/o discriminating. So, let's say someone is autistic. Excuse me, but, never have I read that autistic people are naturally violent. On the other hand, SOME - who are schizophrenic, may be violent. Depression isn't necessarily a marker either. I just wonder sometimes whether or not we are covering mental illnesses in the appropriate manner. There is still a stigma of being mentally ill, to where we want to sweep it under the carpet if we may be ill. Insurance also covers mental illness at a much lower rate and less often than a physical ailment. Why is that? Answers, anyone? It's important that we are able to access the health care that we need. 

Take a look at the most recent CN mass shooting, and the hurt that is left behind. Yet, aside from vigils and prayer chains, what is being done to help those who are still feeling the sting of an aftermath? It's nice to do fundraisers to help cover funeral costs for those who can't afford it, but who is paying for the bereavement counseling and the grief support groups, and other mental health issues that the survivors may be experiencing?

 Maybe it would be nice, since Christmas is almost here, to go ahead and send gifts. That would be heartwarming for the survivors.  

On the other hand, we must still ensure that the wrong people don't get their hands on firearms? Do we tell parents of these mentally ill that they are not allowed to own a gun? That's discriminatory. Maybe make it mandatory that since we HAVE to register as a gun owner, when we sell or give away that gun, it's mandatory to notify who and where it was sold/given to. How about with every gun, there needs to be a test bullet sent to a mainframe and keep records similar to a weapon version of CODIS? I don't know. But, to push for more rights sounds just as ridiculous as buying back honest people's guns. Neither is a good solution, because it's still a knee jerk reaction in haste. So, what do you think? Are there answers? Any common sense approaches? The more we TALK, not argue, the better solutions we have.

Successful Holiday Party!

Earlier in the evening, I hosted an international type holiday party and invited people to attend.  I asked that they bring a nontraditional dish to pass, because it's more fun to mix it up.

We had various neighbors, relatives, church friends and more attend, and it was a great social gathering.

One of the neighbors brought home made Italian wafer cookies that had a hint of anise flavor in it called pizelle.  Another neighbor brought two different types of dip and some nacho chips.  One of the pastors came with Tanzanian curry rice which was absolutely delicious!  My mom brought home made Japanese style egg-rolls, which are always awesome.  Someone else brought shrimp cocktail, and another pastor brought mini cream puffs.

I made 2 of my favorite things, guacamole and goulash - though if you add sour cream to the goulash, it turns into paprikash.  We had an evening full of good company, and it was nice to get to know a few of our neighbors as well.

Hopefully, next year, we can host this again, and have a bigger gathering.  It was really fun.

Whose Mad? Say What?

Okay.  So you're a parent.  You have a kid whose fairly smart, and usually has a good head on their shoulders.  The kid wants to be a dolphin expert some day.  You can afford a descent vacation to take a field trip to Sea World.  You let the smart kid who wants to work with dolphins to the area where kid can feed them.  Kid gets excited over not having any fish left for dolphins, and picks up the empty container despite signs and warnings NOT to do this near the pool.  Dolphin acts like a dolphin, reaches up, bites at the cardboard, and bites the kid's hand while at it.  Kid is fine, just some superficial wounds, understands that she messed up...  Sea World staff responds, attending to the family.

Sounds like a learning session...  but, the parents are mad because the dolphin "attacked" the kid?  Um.  No.  The dolphin attacked the container, thinking there was food in it.  Duh.  The kid is worried more about the dolphin eating the cardboard container than her own hand.  The parents want something done about it, even though there are isolated incidents such as this that happen.  The last one was 6 years ago.

Solution:  Parents should keep better eye on their kids while going to sea world.

Genetic Disorders: Not Always Inherited

Basic Genetics

Most of us know, that we are made up of DNA, that spiral ladder looking thing, that holds all of our information to make us what we are. Tall, short; thin, fat; hair color; eye color; smart, average; etc. We have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. We get 23 from our biological mother, and the other 23 from our biological father.

22 out of the 23 will determine all of the things such as intellect and what we look like, amongst other intricate things that make us unique to ourselves, and not even identical twins are exactly alike, as one may be right handed while the other is left. The 23rd set determines if we are male or female. X is female, Y is male. Women get an X from mom, and an X from dad. Men get an X from mom, and a Y from dad.

There are various information even on the sex chromosomes, such as how fertile and other things that can happen on that particular set too. Just because many of the issues are either dominant or recessive, doesn't mean it has to be a dominant gene to become reality, and dominant doesn't mean that it's expressed - it can be present, but not showing. And yes, some of these things are expressed on the X/Y genes as well. If you're male, and it's on the X, you inherited from your mother. Y from your father. On the other hand, females may have inherited from either parent, since we have both X's.

And you will be surprised, that some of them are called "de Novo" cases, where the mutation happened in vitro, to where it is genetic on one hand, because it's in the chromosomes, but, de Novo, meaning "of the beginning". So yes, it could be a brand new beginning of the mishap gene.

16th Chromosome Issues: 16p11.2 microdeletion

My son and I have this microdeletion. It's on the p arm of the 16th chromosome, in the band numbered 11.2. We are missing about 600kb worth of info on ONE, not both of the chromosomes. What is odd, is that often times, this shows up as a new case, though often it is inherited by a parent.

Funny thing is, I was taking my son to the doctor, because he still has balance problems, and cannot ride a bike at the age of 12, although he can ride a scooter. We were thinking he inherited something from his dad, which could be in any form... X, dominant or recessive. Recessive would mean a mild form, dominant, which means that a recessive gene would not have done anything, or on the X.

His father, my ex, has a different disability, called Charcot-Marie-Toothe syndrome, aka perineal nerve disorder. It's shown by the fact that the forearms, calves, the meaty part of the hand by your thumb, and the small of the back is really weak, disproportionately to the rest of the body. It's inherited, and you either have it, or you don't. So, we went up to a neurologist, who tested and didn't think my son fit the CMT. But, other things popped up, such as the fact that my son's toes are slightly webbed at the bottom, giving it the look that they all start in different places, rather than inline, and the low set earlobes. It was this deletion.

Another tid bit is, that often times, there is a dimple on the back, below the small of the back, right above the tail bone where the hips join at the spine, almost making it look like an extra little line, with a dimple that almost resembles a cleft chin. This dimple is most present during babyhood, and eventually might virtually disappear.

Many of the people affected by the deletion have language delays, a higher rate of Asperger's Syndrome, or even ADHD. Here is a link to help understand more, although it's in it's beginning to find out all there is to know. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3025795/
There is also a higher rate of abnormal EEG's and seizures, which may have been attributed to one of the old vaccines, no longer in use. While that vaccine may have been a trigger, it wasn't the main cause. My son and I both had the seizures, yet normal EEG's, and we are both medication free since we were 5 years old. Funny thing is, neither of us have the hyper, though my son might have the ADD.

We were well enough not to have had the language delays, I was actually early, while my son was on time, though he used to mumble, and still needs reminders to speak up. While we don't have the learning disabilities per se, we definitely think "differently" than the norm... it's not an out of the box thing, it's just that our line of thinking is not the usual line of thinking. We might come to the same conclusion using different methods, which may not make sense to you, but perfect sense to us. I am lucky to have an average IQ, though we haven't had my son tested yet. His learning disabilities seem to be that he understands concepts, such as how to add or subtract, multiply/divide, etc, but, can't memorize the facts, such as 3x7=21. He would have to add 7, 3 times.

In physical ways, the microdeletion affects obesity, and also our appetite. We happen to be more hungry than the normal person, and no matter how healthy we eat, we have difficulty losing weight. So, being over weight may be something that we just have to live with, although we try to be as healthy as possible by eating good foods rather than high fat junk with empty calories.

We are still waiting for the test results from a neurological psychologist, and while that will help us determine his IQ and what, if any learning disabilities, I don't think it will quite tell us enough, or to answer what ever questions I have for the future, since my son and I understand each other pretty well, more so than most mother/child relationships. Could it be that he does have some behaviors attached to it that he could be considered special needs? Or maybe because I'm his mom, I'm supposed to understand, or that we both have the same deletion?

I don't know. Maybe all three. He seems to have it more. Aside from the obesity and hunger issues, I don't really express other parts of it.

What concerns me is, this 16p microdeletion affects insulin registration, and I'm diabetic with high numbers. I'm on insulin. I walk, and if I have high pain, my numbers are still high. I can eat legumes, corn, peas and honey, and they don't spike my blood sugars even though they're considered starches if you're diabetic. Go figure.

X Chromosome Issues: Xp22.33 microduplication

With the Xp22.33 microduplication, here again, it's on the X chromosome, p arm and the band 22.33 kb is triplicated - yes a set of 3, and for women, it's only on 1 x, not both.

This is one of those that you may be at higher risk of developing lupus, because of this info, but with the duplication, it affects males more than females, because we have the XX, rather than the XY. The males that have the extra is even higher yet to possibly getting lupus. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16575839
Here again, it could be a de Novo case, as well as it could be that it was inherited. My son and I have this microduplication as well. Odd thing is, there was only a 25% chance that my son would inherit BOTH from me, rather than being de Novo or just one but not the other.

Odd thing is, there are various learning disabilities attached to this too, including ADHD, yet neither of us, with this microduplication nor the 16 microdeletion have this diagnosis. There are other learning disabilities that my cross over as well, including certain autism spectrum issues, yet that isn't expressed in either of us either.

Other disabilities associated with this are other developmental issues such as not being able to sit up w/o support, etc. Respiratory and breathing issues may be a problem, and you may be prone to that. I am. My son, not as much, to which I'm grateful.

What's the fuss?

The fuss is, because there are so many issues that are tied up with the genetic issues, and many primary physicians don't understand the intricacies, it is important that you get your doctor to pursue knowledge together on this, even if it means you go to the geneticist, endocrinologist, or whom ever can help you understand the issues.

I am lucky that my doctor and my son's pediatricians understand the gravity of all of this, though since we are probably the only patients (that they know of) with these issues, so, we may have to be the guinea pigs, and go find our own answers to come back with. So please, find a doctor willing to work with you, and it would help if the doctor is an endocrinologist with basic understanding of genetics.

Many of the issues such as bronchitis and pneumonia will be treated as such, even if we are in the situation that we are at higher risk, thus needing stronger medicines at times.

Please feel free to ask questions, or leave comment. I'd be happy to share with everyone about what I know in more detail.