A doctor’s vocation: Venerable Jerome Lejeune and the dignity of every life

The Diocese of Burlington highlights the life of Venerable Jerome Lejeune, the French physician and geneticist who discovered the cause of Down syndrome, during Respect Life Month and Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Lejeune began practicing medicine in 1952, caring for children with Down syndrome whom he called his little patients. In 1958, his research identified that an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, which he termed Trisomy 21, caused the condition. While Lejeune intended his discovery to help find a cure, he expressed devastation when the finding was used to develop prenatal tests for the purpose of aborting unborn babies with the condition.

The Diocese notes that this year marks the 100th anniversary of Lejeune's birth. Throughout his career, he worked to provide comfort to families facing the medical challenges and social shame associated with the condition.