In 1959, Professor Jérôme Lejeune, doctor and researcher, discovered the cause of Down syndrome (trisomy 21).
Since then, the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, has been working for individuals affected by genetic disorders (Down syndrome, Williams-Beuren syndrome, fragile X syndrome, “cri du chat” syndrome, other trisomies, monosomies and unexplained intellectual disability…).
Serving the most vulnerable and their families, the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation is driven by three objectives: Research, Care, Advocacy.
It implements and supports research programs designed to develop treatments for Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and other intellectual disorders of genetic origin.
The Jerome Lejeune Foundation is France’s number one funder for research in genetic disorders; the Foundation develops and funds scientific research in the United States and many other countries around the world.
We have created and funded the Jerome Lejeune Institute, a care center for specialized medical consultations.
Jérôme Lejeune Foundation is also highly involved in bioethical issues. In a context where ever-accelerating scientific progress and ideological pressure pose fundamental questions for society, the Foundation provides its scientific expertise and answers for difficult ethical questions.
The Jerome Lejeune Foundation USA is working to open a United States medical center in Denver, Colorado, modeled after the Jerome Lejeune Institute in France.