Aspies For Freedom

In absolute bizarre fashion this is being called The Gift Of Hope.

The main page states "Offers a better future for our children and adults with autism".

"You Can Make a Difference

Brain tissue recovery is coordinated nationally by the Autism Tissue Program by the NIMH/NINDS Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center. In the event of a death, contact us at the 24-hour hotline number: 1-877-333-0999 for immediate assistance. You will be put in touch directly with brain bank representatives who will then contact a local pathologist to assist with tissue recovery at your area hospital. But you or your next-of-kin will have to call us. Even if you haven't pre-registered, donation can still be arranged with this phone call. A registration form will be e-mailed or sent via regular mail upon request."

They do not mention what the research is for, but if they are intending to 'help the future' it looks like coded jargon for cure and prenatal test.

http://www.memories ofhope.org/index2.html

If you work for Memories of Hope, and can guarantee that research from donated brains does not look for a cure for autism, nor a prenatal test then please let us know.

Until that time, anyone on the spectrum please be cautious and do not offer to donate your brain until it is known what the ultimate consequences of it will be.

i need to make sure people know that i will not donate my body to science...i thought good about when i was younger, but not no more.

why does it seem like a career in the biomedical field is more icky by the day?

I have other more constructive ideas for my body anyway, especially my brain so they can basically go to hell if they think they are getting their hands on it.

Boy, they don't sound very supportive for a person who has just lost a family member, do they? And we're the ones without empathy?  :lol:

But seriously, if you have a will, I would try to make sure something about not wanting donate tissue in the way was put into the document, if those are your wishes.

I shall donate one of my fingers to them when I die. Can you guess which one?

LOL

:lol: It's a good thing I wasn't drinking anything just now, my computer would be completely wet. :lol:

For those of us who cannot make a will for whatever reason there is a simple way to prevent your brain from being used in this manner.

Write a declaration that you do not give any consent for your brain to be used for autism research and are opposed to this then sign and date it, with 2 witnesses.

Personally, as stated elsewhere I intend to be frozen and so my will shall state this and automatically give me protection from my brain being donated. For others I would strongly recommend talking to your family and signing a declaration as stated above.