The authors are members of the working group organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences that met from November 3 to 6, 1980. They are internationally recognized scientists.
Most chapters in this book are quite demanding scientifically. But if you're not a physician, or lack the time or appetite for wrestling with complex chromosomal, biological, or chemical research—not to mention figures and statistics—skip ahead to Chapter VI. There Brinkworth describes his work in early intervention (from birth itself) with Down syndrome children. He begins with his own story as a father and educator, then moves into his scientific work as he extends his experience to an ever-growing number of young children. The results he presents are deeply persuasive.
Of special interest to readers of Ombre e Luci is Chapter VII, where Marie Hélène Mathieu, founder of this magazine, briefly tells the history of Fede e Luce and introduces Jean Vanier's L'Arche to the scientific community.
This book serves as a kind of foundational document, remarkable for bringing together rigorous science and lived human and Christian experience under one cover.
N.S.