Wednesday, September 24, 2008

research leading to possible cure for autism

I have just listened to an interesting radio show on NPR, about research being done to reverse the symptoms of fragile X syndrome. I realize this might be another flash in the pan and nothing that could really lead to any sort of breakthrough. However, the implications are fascinating as well as the fact that this might be able to cure autism once and for all at some point in time. Wouldn't this be a kick in the head to the neurodiversity movement who thinks genetic research would result in abortions of autistic fetuses and some who even believe that this will happen. Well, might not be the magic bullet we are all hoping for that will cure autism, but an interesting show any how.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Answer me this, Mitchell. Abortions happen with Down's Syndrome foetus's. Fact. So why wouldn't they happen with Autistic foetus's?

jonathan said...

down's syndrome is the addition of a chromosome that can be detected in utero. autism, given the current state of the art involves many genes and is very complicated and probably involves the interaction of genetics and environment so two different things. Pretty simple, Gluyas.

Anonymous said...

No it's not simple because you ducked the thrust of the question. All it takes is one link, and the panic stricken parents will abort. The environmental situation would be irrelevant - when (as you rightly say) it should be taken into account. You are naive to the max if you think every parent will do that. They'll take one look at the genetic part - and abort.

Don't tell me it wouldn't happen, or anyone else who understands the real threat.

Ender said...

Actually Jonathan, your talking about this leading to a cure in utero. Before it leads to the ability to cure it, it will lead to the ability to detect it and abort it. Common sense tells us that much (pretty obvious that before a condition can be cured it must be detected.) Beyond that the way you put it, it sounds like it would be far more complicated to cure autism then downs as there would be a lot more that needs "fixing" (if not please explain why it isn't).

John Best said...

Timelord,
Australia is contemplating post delivery abortions for the worst cases that are missed in utero. I'm nominating you to be the first abortion since they aren't putting a time limit on it.

Scratcher said...

You misread the report, Foresam! It said Austria, not Australia! Learn to flaming read!

John Best said...

Timelord,
I stand corrected. You have just won an all expenses paid trip to Austria. Just report to any abortion clinic there and you'll be reimbursed for your costs.

Anonymous said...

Which book says you make a plural with an apostrophe?

jonathan said...

I am forced to close this forum again because one emotionally immature neurodiversity proponent has to resort to name calling instead of polite discourse just because I am one of the few people who has the courage to to take to task your movement. The nastiness and cruelty of those in the ND movement is beyond belief.

Gluyas, I have a right to delete your comments if they are abusive to me. It does not mean you are winning. It means I am winning because you can't discuss the facts, you only write threatening posts to me on my own blog. I have every right to protect myself from you being abusive to me and you have been banned from autism's gadfly. If necessary I will have to enable comment moderation though don't know when I will post again in the future.

Being banned from autism's gadfly is quite an accomplishment considering how lenient I have been with the various ND proponents who constantly abuse me and insult, both on my own blog and other places on the internet. I have a right not to tolerate this abusive behavior and Phil Gluyas threatening me with harassment on my own blog. If anyone does not understand this, it is their problem not mine.