Genetics news brings mixed feelings
It’s big news this morning in the UK that scientists have found strong evidence that genetics have a key role in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
If you ask me, it’s bloomin’ obvious that genetics has a key role – I’m a strong advocate of autism being an inherited condition, having reached this conclusion through simple observation.
It’s good to see that steps along the way to understanding this link by science are being made – for I think it’s important. Indeed when I first heard the news on the radio this morning, a source was quoted as saying that the breakthrough was as important as those made in cancer research. I agree.
Whilst I feel strongly that understanding the genetic mechanisms behind ASDs is important, it also worries me.
If, in ten, twenty five or maybe fifty years time we understand the genetic make-up of ASDs, will we use this information to allow in-utero genetic testing for the disorders? Would this testing lead to the aborting of foetuses with the genetic markers associated with ASDs?
This would be highly controversial, because a great many people of the spectrum lead full and (mostly) happy lives, despite having this perceived disability. But testing of this sort is routinely done for Down’s syndrome these days, so why not for Asperger’s syndrome too?
If I wasn’t born 35 years ago, but in the near future, where genetic screening for autism was possible, would I even make it as far as birth? I find this a worrying thought.
Each and every birth is a miracle of a million genetic coincidences coming together, but I, for one am not bitter to have the genetic make-up that life has given me. I wouldn’t change it, and I would sincerely hope that the future-me with similar genetic make-up would be allowed their chance at life.
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2 Responses to “Genetics news brings mixed feelings”
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A on April 29th, 2009 A(Quote)
This is sort of off-topic, but only sort of.
If ever we got into a discussion about genetic testing for children with Down Syndrome, my parents were always strictly on the, “I would abort it without a second thought,” side, which always saddened me. I was in a restaurant a few weeks ago, celebrating my birthday, and there was a young man of around the same age celebrating his birthday at the same time, who had Down’s Syndrome. This man was had three friends (who also had Down’s Syndrome), some people who appeared to be his parents, a young child and an older lady with him. And they all seemed to be having a fantastic time, laughing and talking; it looked like much more fun than I was having! And what a message to that little girl, too – these people may be “different”, but different does not equal bad or unworthy or any less of a person, and they should be treated with the respect they deserve, just like anyone else.
I would guess that many, many people live their lives in a less productive or more unhappy state than many people with Down Syndrome, ASDs, or any other kind of “disability”. Just because we are different it does not mean that we can’t be happy or fulfilled.
What an unaccepting society we would create, if all people with diagnosable disabilities were weeded out of the population.
More Evidence: Genes Play Key Role in Autism « Intern in Israel on
[...] Read James’ thoughts on this new evidence over here. [...]