Edwards Syndrome and Eighteen

When Professor Edwards discovered Trisomy 18 in 1960, very few chromosomal disorders had been detected.  In fact, it was only in 1956 that the discovery that there were 46 chromosomes to every gene instead of 48 came to light. Because of his discovery, Trisomy 18 is also referred to as Edwards syndrome.

And when you get down to the basics of chromosomes, the “tri” in trisomy means three. So instead of the typical two copies of the 18th chromosome, people with Trisomy 18 (or Edwards syndrome) have three. So they have extra genetic material than most of us.