- Dr. John Langdon Down was the first to describe this genetic alteration in 1866.
- According to the WHO, it has an estimated incidence of one case per thousand newborns.
- The first model of a Barbie with Down Syndrome joins others that represent diseases such as one created with vitiligo.
The world changes every day and we are currently living in times in which we seek to promote justice and social equity. Inclusion is one of the new norms to give a voice to people who for decades remained silent. From cinema to music are part of this transformation. Another item where this modification is appreciated is the toy industry and the clearest example can be seen with the First Barbie with Down Syndrome.
Children are a powerful business
The person responsible for proposing this innovation is Mattel. Although today it is one of the most powerful companies in the world, it never really was like that. It all started at the end of World War II when American businessmen Harold Matson and Elliott Handler They identified that the children needed something to amuse themselves with.
Toys have existed since ancient times but they have never been manufactured on a large scale and professionally. Upon identifying a need, both focused on the children’s field. As a result they founded mattelwhich is an acronym of their names.
At first, all the designs were aimed at the male child audience, but everything changed in 1959 with a model that revolutionized the industry. Is about Barbiewhich has positioned itself as one of the most important and famous doll lines in the world.
Since then, millions of units have been sold every year and it is already a benchmark of popular culture. Although the most interesting thing is that this doll has several models that adapt to the context of each era.
First Barbie with Down Syndrome
As part of this transformation, the company has now presented a new model that is part of its line Fashionist. In this area, we seek to represent all people so that girls feel represented.
This led to the creation of a Barbie with Down Syndrome. The doll also includes accessories such as orthopedic anklets and a dress with flowers that can be yellow, blue or pink.
Mattel continues to bet on inclusion; designs Barbie with Down Syndrome: The toy brand presented the Barbie with down syndrome, which is part of the Barbie Fashio line… https://t.co/67xa0mrTQx
— Market2.0 (@Merca20) January 20, 2023
Now, this is not the first time that mattel seeks to reflect some diseases through the models of their dolls. In the past he has featured a Barbie with vitiligo.
Similarly, health professionals have also been reflected through different models. The company has already launched one based on the nurse Florence Nightingale and another on a pediatrician.
What is Down syndrome?
It’s about a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (or part) instead of both. For this reason, it is also called trisomy 21. It is characterized by a variable degree of intellectual disability and physical features that give it a recognizable appearance.
Its name is due to the fact that the Dr John Langdon Down He was the first to describe this genetic alteration in 1866, although he never discovered the causes that produced it. In July 1958, a young researcher named Jerome Lejeune discovered that the syndrome is an alteration in the mentioned pair of chromosomes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it has an estimated incidence of one case per thousand newborns.
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