Evolution within humanity.

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I could be totally off the ball with all of this, but this what I have been brooding about.

While science has not been able to isolate the proteins that seperate us aspies from NTs (I have been involved in a study), we do know that aspie parents make aspie babies. Meaning, that whatever it is that makes aspergers, or any form of autism differ from the NT brain, is geneticly transferable.

See as there is, while not a large amount, a number of us, sharing similar traits, not shared by the normal populus, does this make us the start of a new branch of Homo sapiens? As I said, I do not have a background in such science, its just my thoughts. My vote goes for the species name "Homo Sapiens Aspius". (NTs being "Homo Sapiens Sapiens")

No. Aspies and NTs are reproductively compatible and phenotypically identical. We are the same species. Additionally, there is no clear line between Aspie and NT. There is a pretty continuous variation from NT to autistic, and the diagnostic community draws an arbitrary line at some point for ease of labeling.

Thats like asking if blondes are the "start of a new species", or if "nearsighted people are the start of a new species".

you're talking about one or a few traits in the normal range of the variation of one species.

I never said we were so different than humans and apes. Think of it perhaps as the difference between species of domesticated dogs or cats. Many can be interbred to create different mixed breeds, having a variety of traits. My point was, that if two aspies have a child, there is a very good chance that child will be an aspie as well. The ability to transfer a specific genetic trait is all that is needed to maintain selective breeding. Assuming we look at 100 generations of pure, diagnosticaly confirmed asperger parents, my guess is that in 600 or so years, at the end of that generation, the end result will have traits highly indicative of aspergers. That ability, to maintain the gifts of having aspergers, could be what makes our specific genome to continually be passed down, even after those without that genome have died out. This is all hypothetical.

A species can't separate into two until both groups are unable to mate with each other. So unless, for example, all Aspies around the world spontaneously hate and refuse to marry NTs, NTs and Aspies will be part of the same species. A genetic variation is just a genetic variation until it messes with reproduction.

Saying that NTs and autistics are different species is like saying that people with sickle-cell anemia and people without it are a different species.

But humans can still evolve. Maybe the species as a whole is drifting from being dominated by "normal" extroverted people to more technology-savvy engineers. It would make sense, now that it's evolutionarily beneficial to be able to work with technology.

Again, I am not saying that I think one day people with aspergers are going to imcompatible with those who dont. And, blonde hair (I dont know about near sightedness) is natural adaptation. People who lived in cold climates, without large amounts of sunlight developed fair hair and skin from lack of need. (No sun, no need for dark hair and skin)

That was my point, Scandium. I suppose saying "species" caused something of a scare. I meant it in a form of evolutionary progression. Which may one day assimilate completely into the society, causing everyone to be a tiny bit on the aspie side.

As long as we live as a species, there has to be diversity. And as long as there is diversity, there is negative discrimination. No species can evolve without discrimination.

[quote="Oort" My vote goes for the species name "Homo Sapiens Aspius". (NTs being "Homo Sapiens Sapiens")[/quote]

Given how most of us with AS get treated by NT's, we would probably end up being called 'a***hole Sapiens'.





PS No we are not a new species, you have been watching too much x-men.

I've never seen any X-men, I was never into comics.

In a way yes Aspies as a group may be put into a specific classification. I'm not sure though if this would be anymore significant then classifying the humans who are left handed.

But..... aside from the evolution thing even that might be helpful. I mean in the past there was a fierce desire to get everyone to conform to the majority, and I think even left handed people were forced by teachers try to be right handed resulting in a lot of mental stress and frustration.

So I don't know about a new branch of humanity exactly, but another of it's many variations. More importantly trying to understand and acknowledge these variations and their strengths rather then only seeing their weaknesses.

What if Aspies were here first and NTs are the new mutant humans?