The Problem with Autism Speaks

[naraht]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In that case, how can we trust any "warning signs" or predispositions for any condition?

There are people who do not have biological children because of warning signs and predispositions for certain conditions. There are also people who insist on having biological children despite (and sometimes as a result of) warning signs and predispositions for certain conditions. I am in favor of the former rather than the latter but people should do what works for whomever (the biological parents? The future offspring?). I'm also pro-choice so people need to figure out what they are willing to endure based on whatever information available.

Let's use Tay Sachs as an example. Genetically it is recessive and based on a single gene and kills by age 5 generally. In the Orthodox Jews in Israel, young people are tested assigned a number and a couple of is interested in each other can enter both of their numbers into a computer to see if they both carry the gene. That's with a single gene.

Breast cancer, you've got about 5 or 6 different genes which lead to higher risk, get any one or two and you've got a higher probability.

Autism and Homosexuality, OTOH get a *lot* grayer. You're looking at a *lot* more genes, less ability to eliminate environmental factors. And they aren't even close to having a blood test for it. It is entire possible that both of these are neither genetic or environmental, but rather a complex effect of what genes are expressed and which are shut down in the course of fetal development. So since in both cases, you have examples of identical twins raised together that end up with different results (gay/straight) or (Autism Spectrum/Neurotypical), what do they expect to be able to look for?

Also for Autism Speaks, what exactly is a cure? You're dealing with the basic wiring of the brain in how the brain processes input. Do I think that there are exercises that through repetition will help with processing input better, probably, but that that point you are at psychological treatment, not psychiatric and certainly not the pill/shot that would represent a cure to AS...