what are the genetic markers for autism?

[hiroshima]

Does anyone know/ understand the science behind the prenatal tests for autism?

http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/prenatal_test_for_autism.html

If so please explain... it states that the tests are inaccurate.  I assume this means that the genetic markers do not, in fact, indicate autism 100% of the time?  Or does it mean something else?

[McGiver]

ask unibrow.

[Lucifer]

the inaccuracy stems from the fact that, so far, research shows that there is probably a connexion between autism and mutations/heterogenicity on several genes, and that there is still environmental, as well as genetic factors, involved.

in other words, they still don't know exactly where the genetic variation is occurring,and how much it's responsible.

to be honest, i'm not sure it can be said that a genetic test for autism has been discovered, let alone is in use - there's no such thing been published, up until about may this year, as far as i can ascertain, anyway.

[McGiver]

i thought that the human genome project was going to be complete by the year 2010

[Lucifer]

the human genome project is only a map of the genome, not an instant diagnostic tool for everything.  most people get that bit wrong, don't worry, mainly cos of the hype surrounding it, and not listening during science lessons at school...





(joke, btw).

[McGiver]

yes it is the map of the human genetic whatever.  basically all things that make you =, you.

but if they had every gene mapped out couldn't they figure out what spectrum of genes make for autism.
i undersdtand the importance of the project is to weradicate things like cancer or alcoholism, heart disease, and other things which are said to be passed down through the parents gene pool.

[Praetor]

Have a read 

http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/research/project.asp?id=2

[Peter]

There's also a hospital in London which is 'preventing' autism simply by aborting male embryos from mothers with family histories of autism (since the males are supposedly more likely to be autistic).

http://www.thewronged.org/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=37

[Praetor]

Preventing by destroying male embryo's

My oh my thats hardly preventing thats crude guess work targetting.

Surely for a couple to get to that stage they would of recieved a heavy amount of Genetic councilling and had a profile taken of their genome to confirm if they have any identified genomes.

Also surely for a couple to come forward they would of had to of had some autistic offspring already to even know they were carriers of a mutagen? Its not like we walk around with our genes as a referance in a government record somewhere

[Nomaken]

Someone needs to get a blown up picture of a chromosome and put a little picture of Mr. Bean somewhere a long it.

[Adam]

lol yeah that is cool i don't think it
was a alpaca though - looks mmore like a llama

[Christopher McCandless]

There's also a hospital in London which is 'preventing' autism simply by aborting male embryos from mothers with family histories of autism (since the males are supposedly more likely to be autistic).

http://www.thewronged.org/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=37

I laughed when I read it - all they are going to do is make some wonderful autistic grandchildren instead.

[The Member Formerly Known As Sophist]

I've said it on another forum, but every time I think of scientists fucking with genetics, I always picture Jurassic Park. 

[Mr Smith]

You have to have cankles and a monobrow