Knocking out one key gene leads to traits that have some similarity to autistic traits; in mice, namely less vocalization and socialization, more hyperactive and repetitive behaviors.
so, we're talking about at a very zoomed out level, but the gene responsible is already "implicated" in human neurodevelopmental conditions in the cerebellum.
I'm going to post this as a top-level comment since there's too many people I want to respond to.
There's a lot of important discussion when this sort of topic comes up. I agree that this might be a slippery slope if applied incorrectly, but that isn't a good reason not to conduct the research. I also don't ever see anyone applying that slippery slope argument to, say, blindness research.
Anyway, what's more important to me is that there's always suggestions that autism isn't something that needs to be cured, because all we need is for society to be more accepting of us, and we'll be okay.
That's really only part of the picture. Autism affects every moment of our lives, not just when we're interacting with society. How will society being more accepting stop my sensory overload issues? Or help my executive disfunction, so I can properly take care of myself? How will it help our difficulties connecting with people, even when those people are already accepting and patient with us?
I have to wonder where people who suggest these things fall on the spectrum, to think that the problems living with autism are so limited.
I think it is because everybody can accept that blindness is a defect. Eyes are supposed to see. If they don't they are broken.
When it comes to autism, at least the more mild forms, it is just a range of characteristics that can be found in non-autistic people. Somebody is less social or can't understand sarcasm or whatever, well that doesn't mean the person is autistic and it doesn't mean they have a medical problem.
We don't say a guy who is 5 feet or 6 foot 5 inches has a medical problem. We say that is fine and within the "acceptable" range. Somebody who has dwarfism does have a medical condition. I think autism is the same. Those with mild forms of autism may see it as an attack on them or their characteristics.
> I also don't ever see anyone applying that slippery slope argument to, say, blindness research
I don't see it in blindness research, but I do see it in deafness research, where it is sometimes claimed that curing deafness will lead to a form of cultural genocide.
In my opinion this kind of genetic research on autism strengthens the view that mild to moderate autistic traits are inherited features, not pathological diseases. The heritability estimates of autistic traits are very high, even higher than e.g. human height. I don't want to undermine the real symptoms of anyone with autism, I'm sure they can be a real pain. But I'm skeptical of e.g. treating autism with therapy, it reminds me of conversion therapies.
3) plenty of other cases of “knock out one gene” lead to everything from allergies to neurological problems, to missing limbs and organs. It should not be surprising that someone could find a gene that caused neurological issues, that look similar to autism when you lack all the methods for distinguishing autism from any other neurological disorder.
Does this open the door to genetic screening of the unborn child to test for autism? One of the main reasons that I as someone living with autism don't intend on having biological children is because I don't want them to grow up with it, but testing for it would really change that.
A family member of mine has been working with research teams to try and understand this disorder. I truly think we're at the point where a cure might be feasible - years ago, I remember them talking about trying to detect autism in the womb!
Are you sure you want that? We could lose people like like Alan Turing, Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton in the bargain.
The estimates now are that autism affects about 1 in 35 people. That’s not a disorder. That’s human diversity. I realize that there are less lucky autistic people who are severely disabled. If this helps them, then good, but I don’t want to be cured. I want to be accepted. And the way our medical system works now, I don’t trust that any treatments will only be used to help those who most need it. Children who simply need acceptance and a little support will be drugged, because that will be the convenient option.
The way I understand it, autism is no a disease. Both in that there is no single cause, but a collection of traits. And in that some people have autism don't view it as something that needs to be cured.
Happy to be corrected by someone with more expertise.
Let's hope the research will further improve our understanding and can provide help where needed.
with a specific genetic background (strain C57BL/6J) and environmental conditions. . .
It is broadly underappreciated that most gene knockout experiments in mice are not replicated across multiple genetic backgrounds, which can have significant impact on phenotypic expression.
[+] [-] fsckboy|1 year ago|reply
so, we're talking about at a very zoomed out level, but the gene responsible is already "implicated" in human neurodevelopmental conditions in the cerebellum.
[+] [-] hmry|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] squigz|1 year ago|reply
There's a lot of important discussion when this sort of topic comes up. I agree that this might be a slippery slope if applied incorrectly, but that isn't a good reason not to conduct the research. I also don't ever see anyone applying that slippery slope argument to, say, blindness research.
Anyway, what's more important to me is that there's always suggestions that autism isn't something that needs to be cured, because all we need is for society to be more accepting of us, and we'll be okay.
That's really only part of the picture. Autism affects every moment of our lives, not just when we're interacting with society. How will society being more accepting stop my sensory overload issues? Or help my executive disfunction, so I can properly take care of myself? How will it help our difficulties connecting with people, even when those people are already accepting and patient with us?
I have to wonder where people who suggest these things fall on the spectrum, to think that the problems living with autism are so limited.
[+] [-] ImJamal|1 year ago|reply
When it comes to autism, at least the more mild forms, it is just a range of characteristics that can be found in non-autistic people. Somebody is less social or can't understand sarcasm or whatever, well that doesn't mean the person is autistic and it doesn't mean they have a medical problem.
We don't say a guy who is 5 feet or 6 foot 5 inches has a medical problem. We say that is fine and within the "acceptable" range. Somebody who has dwarfism does have a medical condition. I think autism is the same. Those with mild forms of autism may see it as an attack on them or their characteristics.
Not sure if that made sense?
[+] [-] greyface-|1 year ago|reply
I don't see it in blindness research, but I do see it in deafness research, where it is sometimes claimed that curing deafness will lead to a form of cultural genocide.
[+] [-] rzmmm|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] ddmf|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] olliej|1 year ago|reply
2) autism like traits
3) plenty of other cases of “knock out one gene” lead to everything from allergies to neurological problems, to missing limbs and organs. It should not be surprising that someone could find a gene that caused neurological issues, that look similar to autism when you lack all the methods for distinguishing autism from any other neurological disorder.
[+] [-] mass_and_energy|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] mystified5016|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] kulahan|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] dimal|1 year ago|reply
The estimates now are that autism affects about 1 in 35 people. That’s not a disorder. That’s human diversity. I realize that there are less lucky autistic people who are severely disabled. If this helps them, then good, but I don’t want to be cured. I want to be accepted. And the way our medical system works now, I don’t trust that any treatments will only be used to help those who most need it. Children who simply need acceptance and a little support will be drugged, because that will be the convenient option.
[+] [-] juliushuijnk|1 year ago|reply
Happy to be corrected by someone with more expertise.
Let's hope the research will further improve our understanding and can provide help where needed.
[+] [-] BurningFrog|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] biomcgary|1 year ago|reply
It is broadly underappreciated that most gene knockout experiments in mice are not replicated across multiple genetic backgrounds, which can have significant impact on phenotypic expression.
[+] [-] FeepingCreature|1 year ago|reply
(Sadly, I don't have the lyrical skills for the rest of the song.)