War Against the Weak- extract from this book
" One of the largest segments of autism research is genetic research. The quest is for genetic markers that would indicate the spectrum of disorders, or their strong potential, if such genes exist. What
is the likely primary application of these discoveries? It’s prenatal
screening for the disorder and subsequent abortion, if history gives any
clue. The latest study shows that in California, 26% of fetuses screened
positive for Down Syndrome, a disorder where genetic markers are now known,are so aborted. This may not be the ideal “cure” for autism, but it will likely be the first one, if not the only one (further research into Down
Syndrome has since been abandoned by the government)."
This raises a good point, how much further research would be done into autism once pre-natal screening has been developed?
what would the % abortion rate be?
Well the study cites 26% for downs syndrome in california, it would be difficult to predict what a future percentage would be.
California was the breeding ground for eugenics in the US during the 1920s.
I think the US government have made their position on Down's Syndrome crystal clear: if we can be rid of it, than so be it we need do nothing more. Down's Syndrome Society Canada would have something to say about that; they are very much in for seeing the value of Down's people, not eliminating them.
With Autistics seen as less than dirt, even when compared to how Down's people are seen, I'm not too opptomistic.
California was the breeding ground for eugenics in the US during the 1920s.
I think the US government have made their position on Down's Syndrome crystal clear: if we can be rid of it, than so be it we need do nothing more. Down's Syndrome Society Canada would have something to say about that; they are very much in for seeing the value of Down's people, not eliminating them.
With Autistics seen as less than dirt, even when compared to how Down's people are seen, I'm not too opptomistic.
Autism is often an "invisible disability" and people fear the unknown. Down's syndrome is accompanied by recognisable physical differences as well as some degree of mental retardation, usually either mild or moderate.
Autism is obvious in some people but others look perfectly "normal". Even the prenatal tests for Downs don't tell the doctors or parents how severe an individual case is going to be. With autism being on a much wider spectrum still, it is going to be impossible to tell if the child has HFA/Aspergers or LFA. I can't see too much good coming out of prenatal testing for autism.
Eugenics is going to become a more and more widely used tool, whether you like it or not. There will certainly be people aborting autistic foetuses, and we face the very real posibility of becoming extinct. There was quite a controversial thread on this topic a few months ago, most people took the "society needs to learn to accept us" point of view, but the reality is that we are incredibly naive if we think that has any chance of happening while we passively sit back and wait. The autistic community needs to demonstrate to the wider community that they can be functional, positive, successful members of society, not just useless head cases who are either miserable or institutionalised.
Eugenics is going to become a more and more widely used tool, whether you like it or not. There will certainly be people aborting autistic foetuses, and we face the very real posibility of becoming extinct.
There was quite a controversial thread on this topic a few months ago, most people took the "society needs to learn to accept us" point of view, but the reality is that we are incredibly naive if we think that has any chance of happening while we passively sit back and wait.
The autistic community needs to demonstrate to the wider community that they can be functional, positive, successful members of society, not just useless head cases who are either miserable or institutionalised.
Well, I think Gareth and Amy are certainly showing that we can be functional, positive and successful members of society by hosting this website.
I agree that we need to put a more positive face to autism but it's going to be a long battle.