This really made me mad!

Post Reply New Topic

Sorry, Melvis. I was just restating the point that there is no cure for autism. I apologize if I negatively criticized the writer of the article with that headline. To reiterate something that was said earlier, Asperger's Syndrome is a gift, we, as people like such, occasionally have trouble, and we can't learn without trouble. That way, we can actually get something out of what we are told. Melvis, if we have people who we count on, like you, we can learn positively. Thank you for your important words.

My problem with CAN is that they fund and lobby for genetic research in their search for a medical cure - money which would be better spent researching ways to help profoundly autistic children to cope better, and time better spent on lobbying for better recognition of the rights , for example, of parents struggling to get adequate support in the education system, or improving the situation of autistic people in the workplace. I see their activities as misplaced and not in the best interests of people across the breadth of the spectrum, and the effect on how others see us from their activities.

One of the benifits of learning the genetic components to AS would be faster diagnosis in the future and more correct diagnosis. Just a thought about genetic research not being a total waste.

Another point about genetic research- it doesn't always necessarily lead to screening- it could also lead to gene therapy. As an example if a treatment was developed that could reduce sensory overload problems (from having oversensitive hearing for example) surely this would be a good thing for those that really suffer with this problem??

Mel

Good points - I stand corrected I was focused on the use of such research for screening tests. Gene therapy would be a benefit to many of us, and I had overlooked this application totally... also a clear cut 'yes you have it, no you dont' would be helpful for people seeking diagnosis or questioning one.

/dunc gets off his soap box, looking a bit sheepish...

The whole idea of genetic screening and modification (when they get around to figuring that out) scares the heck out of me. I think that these things should not be allowed to happen as science will be upping the ante to whole new level.

If screening becomes a regular thing we will ultimately end up in a situation where the doctor will tell mom and dad, "Well this embryo is male and has all the genetic markers of someone who will have aspergers syndrome (or any other genetic difference)"

Once the parents find out what AS all entails, the doctor will then pop the $64,000 question.

"Now that you know what your child might face in life, do you wish to abort this embryo?"

These kinds of things will end up hurting more people than they will help, and thats why I don't wish to see these things happen.

Knowledge can be use in a useful and good way or in a bad and wrong way. It is up to the people of the world to deside how to use it. And since we are part of the world we have to act in the way best for us and the world. As far as what that means I should do exactly I am still working on that

What you have to bear in mind with pre-natal screening Scoots is that it isn't something that is done in the first couple of weeks of pregnancy and by the time it can be done the parents have often already bonded with their unborn child. Plus it is unlikely that a test would be so sensitive that it could differentiat between AS and other ASD's.
The decision to abort a child is not an easy one and I doubt that most parents would just decide without any soul-searching to get rid of a child because it might have an ASD.
There are many parents who would decide not to have the test, and there are many that would decide against an abortion even if they got a positive test- just as there are with the screening tests that are currently available today.

Genetic research does not just mean developing pre-natal screening and pre-natal screening does not just lead to every baby who may have a particular condition being aborted.

Your essence would not be wiped out by having treatment for some of the problems you face- I don't think we're talking about completely wiping out all a persons autistic traits, rather offering treatment for those issues that cause problems functioning in everyday life. Your sense of self comes from your experiences. And I am can tell I'm not going to be able to express myself very clearly right now (well it is almost 2:30am) so I'll have to try to be clearer in the morning.

cure to me doesn't mean that I am genetically change. for me curing and coping are very close. for some people the cure for diabetes is watching what they eat and excercise. It doesn't make the diabetes go away. but they are effectively cured. Maybe it is because I see the end result of being happier as the same as being cured. Not sure if that makes sense to others though