I feel the need to comment on the misconception that trisomies of other than chromosome 21 don’t survive birth. I have a friend whose daughter is a trisomy 18 and just celebrated her 19th birthday and other friends whose children with trisomies are nearing their teenage years. My own son, a trisomy 13, lived for 5 days. I suggest researchers and interested readers contact the Support Organization for Families of Trisomies.

Jean M. Boehm
Bergen, N.Y.