This is a step towards "designer kids", something I hope never happens, because there will no doubt be inbreeding effects as the designer kids grow up and interbreed. That on top of our species halting its own evolution if that article in Locus (
http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/showthread.php?tid=4515) has any truth to it. Play "god" now, pay for it later.
This original article only talks about having found a gene which puts kids at greater risk of developing autism, not as a sure thing. I have to wonder how great that risk is and how much of the population would be carrying that gene without being autistic (or Aspie - who knows, would Aspies even have the same gene or the same distribution of the gene...?). After all, you can carry the gene for blue eyes without actually being blue-eyed. The whole article is much too vague about whether it could be used for the genetic screening of foetuses and how effective it would be.
After all, the original article does say: "Between seven and 12 per cent of the families showed individuals sharing possibly detrimental chromosome abnormalities." 7 - 12% really isn't a clear-cut genetic link, especially given the apparent lack of a control group (ie volunteer families without autism). For all we know, 7 - 12% of the general NT population could have the gene, as well!
I doubt the issue of aborting autistic babies is going to be something we'll have to worry about for a long time yet. In the meanwhile, the focus should be on properly educating the public and putting out the anti-cure message.
A lot of people don't even know the difference between Aspergers or HFA and LFA. They hear the word autism, they think
Rainman. If people automatically assume being autistic means being severely mentally handicapped, how can be blame them for wanting there to be a cure? They think they're doing the compassionate thing. We need to demonstrate, as often as we can and in any way that we can, that you can have autism or Aspergers and be a
happy, healthy and functional member of society.
Hate to say it, but you can't expect public ignorance to magically correct itself. People will continue to be mindless sheep until you help them.
We had the pre-natal screening done for our second child. It was called a Fetal Alpha Protein test, I think.
The test showed that our child had an increased possibility of being born with Down Syndrome. That, combined with other fetal factors and the history of genetic "issues" in my family, created a fairly high likliness of Down's.
Of course, the first option offered to us was a pregnancy "cessation."
My wife and I were both instantaneous in our response: "No way!" Even though having child #1 as an autie and child #2 with Down. No f-ing way!
Will there be people who abort their kids because of a "positive" test showing Autism? Sure. Just as there are people who abort because the fetus is.
Will this bring about a "cure"? Possibly. But, I know I would never allow my son to be subjected to a "cure" that messed around with his genes. Not a good idea to me. Maybe, if it leads to some better treatments for the more difficult aspects of his Autism, maybe (tantrums, OCD behaviors, ADHD behaviors, urge control, and such -- not his personality!)
As I said, we need to educate the public, not panic over hypothetical maybes.
As I said, we need to educate the public, not panic over hypothetical maybes.
you havent told us how yet.
Hello,
Personally, I dislike how this article and many other news outlets, magazines etc. describe the Asperger's special interests as "bizarre, obsessive interests," or something to that effect, or they do not mention them at all, rather than the basis for successful job careers and possible benefits to society as a whole. Also I dislike how some articles claim that we make perfect serial killers, lack general common sense or that we are the grossly disabled individuals (all of the statements above I have pulled from articles I have read). Serial killers would not fit because the hugely vast majority of us strictly abide to all rules and have a large moral stance on what is right and what is wrong. I know we don't lack general common sense and I know we are not grossly disabled except possibly in social atmospheres. But that is only one of the many aspects of life.
I agree with bohemian_storm, we need to educate the public on our condition. It's not their "fault" that they think all Autistics are disabled, for generally the disabled ones get the majority of media coverage or the media worsens the severity of their condition or neglects explaining the positive sides of Asperger's and Autism.
Will
As I said, we need to educate the public, not panic over hypothetical maybes.
you havent told us how yet.
Do I really need to tell you exactly how we ought to educate the public and raise awareness of the positive aspects of autism and AS? Just look at how the feminists do it, gay and civil rights activists, members of the deaf community, etc etc.