A Massive Search for Autism Genes Begins

Comments

• 	Or not. Monsterboy on 08/21/2006 at 2:03 AM
  Posts: 57 Avg Rating:	Not even just a "disorder," but a "disease". It might have been good to mention the many autistic people who do not consider themselves diseased for thinking differently, or their genes something to be wiped out of the pool. Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • Perhaps you dont understand reysa on 08/21/2006 at 11:13 AM

    Posts: 1

    Scientists are not aiming to "wipe out" the autistic community. They want to help the families which have been hurt. They want to prevent families from being torn apart in the future. True, not all autistic children and adults are helpless and many can lead very fulfilling lives, but they deserve to have the same chance as any other child does. They deserve to learn jsut as much and be just as free and happy. A patient can always refuse treatment, but there are many who's lives are cosumed by autism. It truely can tear apart families and can steal someones happyness. And again, it wont for everyone. But it is not fair to deny the treatment, perhaps the cure, to those whom would benefit. Rate this comment: (Reply)

    • 	I understood, but... Monsterboy on 08/21/2006 at 12:44 PM
      Posts: 57 Avg Rating:	Oh, I understood that, reysa. And I'm not against the research. I objected specifically to the characterisation of autism as a "disease." I think you'll admit, it gives a certain slant; replace "autism" with "left-handedness" or "homosexuality" and read those sections again. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Cortical organization and the HAR1F bassmang5 on 08/21/2006 at 12:49 PM

  Posts: 6

  I found this article interesting in accordance with the "The Gene That Makes us human" artical 8/17. A problem cited by Joseph LeDoux is that abnormal cortical layering in the cerebral cortexs 6 layers is common in autism. It will be interesting what this study turns up on the HAR1F gene and the so called "homeotic genes" as well. I look forward to cross examining these two studies when this study finishes up. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Human Genome Project brunascle on 08/21/2006 at 3:55 PM		TR Staff Web Developer
  Posts: 70 Avg Rating:	the Human Genome Project's site lists "Autism, susceptibility to" in chromosome 7: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/chromo07.shtml it's about a third of the way down on the right. i'm not positive how it works or what it means, but looking through the chromosomes is actually very interesting. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Exceptions to the Rule jbarry315 on 10/23/2006 at 9:47 PM

  Posts: 1

  I agree to the exception being taken to the inference that the condition of autism (or Asberger's syndrome for that matter) is inherently a disease state rather than a condition.  No evidence of a degenerative condition is necessarily attributed to the incidence of this; and, it would be a great disservice to equate any condition which was determined to be the result of a causal relationship with the environment, or chemically induced, or a birth defect with that of a disease.  As far as the life quality for those suffering from such ailments, the pain is definitely there--- and no disease can be blamed for such pain.  If the research yields an avenue whereby medicine may alleviate the autistic child's intolerance to noise or change of routine, then progress will be evident on a dramatic scale.  If the general public could begin to understand the attempts at communication from these individuals, much genius would be found to exist in the inescapable tenacity of spirit such persons exhibit toward any task they are induced to undertake.  There IS a flipside for these misunderstood and isolated minds; and, if this research lends itself to effecting the release from imprisonment such potential, then perhaps my twin sons will again show the exuberance they did as toddlers--- and prove out what hope makes possible through diligence and focus---  as exceptions, rather than diseased ones.... Rate this comment: (Reply)