Jérôme Lejeune

Jérôme Lejeune (* June 13, 1926; † 3 April 1994) was a French pediatrician and geneticist.

He described 1963 as the first scientific point the cat cry syndrome. He named it after the cat-like cry ( cri -du- chat = Cri ) of affected children in early childhood. It was named after him and is therefore also known as Lejeune 's syndrome.

1959 Lejeune reported the discovery of the genetic cause of Down syndrome. He described the relationship between a chromosomal triplication ( trisomy ) and and Down's syndrome. 2009 Marthe Gautier claimed the discovery of trisomy, and basic laboratory work for themselves

In addition to his scientific work, he continued to practice as a pediatrician. Jérôme Lejeune was a long time member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. He campaigned for the right to life of disabled children. Pope John Paul visited on his trip to France the grave Lejeune and campaigned for his canonization. The method but have not been completed. It is through this application to prenatal selection and abortion of genetically ill children Lejeune already consisted of heavy criticism during his lifetime. He himself saw it therefore as tragic that he had just delivered the possibility of prenatal diagnosis.

Lejeune was awarded the 1969 William Allan Award and in 1984 with an international Antonio Feltrinelli Prize. He was a personal friend of Pope John Paul II, who took him to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and made president of the newly created Pontifical Academy for Life. Shortly thereafter, however Lejeune died in Paris of cancer.

The Abbey of Saint - wall groove has postulated the beatification, meanwhile Lejeune has been declared a " Servant of God ".