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Parent’s view on genetic link to autism: ‘I don’t want it to be eradicated’
Charlotte Moore, who has two sons with autism, reflects on newly discovered genetic links to autism
The Guardian, Thursday 10 June 2010
As the mother of two sons with autism and a third son without it, do I welcome this news? Yes, if it helps kill the idea that autism is somebody’s “fault”. Autism isn’t caused by neglectful parenting; not only that, but parents passing on autistic genes is less significant than had been thought. Although some of these gene variations are inherited, others are found only in children. This helps explain why in some cases autism “runs in the family“, but in others it comes out of nowhere. If you have an autistic child, strip away those shreds of guilt. Your child is what he or she is. End of story.
The findings will enable some families to get more precise genetic counselling, and that’s good. When I debated whether to have Jake, my third child, doctors could only give me vague advice. I’m delighted I took the risk, but it’s better to make such decisions armed with as much information as possible.
Read in Full:Â http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/10/autism-parents-view-genetics
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Dozens of genetic mutations linked to autism in children discovered
A new test for autism in children has come a step closer after the world’s largest study into the disability discovered a number of genetic links to the condition.
By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent
Published: 8:00PM BST 09 Jun 2010
Dozens of rogue genes have been found in more than 1,000 autistic children, researchers found.
They said the findings come closer to helping identify the root cause of the disability that affects more than half a million people in Britain – and could hasten the development of the first ever genetic test for the condition.
 The research, conducted by around 60 teams of experts from 12 countries including the UK and Republic of Ireland, identified clusters of genetic mutations or changes that were almost 20 per cent more common in autistic children than in unaffected individuals.
Read in Full:Â http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7814775/Dozens-of-genetic-mutations-linked-to-autism-in-children-discovered.html