Alzheimers and Down syndrome-what they share

I think I may be the odd man out in the world, BUT...I have long thought there is a strong connection between DS/AD and autism. I also have a very strong feeling that knowing this will have an impact on how th world views DS, philosophically. I believe with everything in me we are killing off the very people who hold the answers to some of lifes biggest questions...cancer, AD, autism...