If a cure for ASD/Asperger's/autism was found?
It's still not exactly right around the corner. Not only are there over a thousand different genetic variations associated with autism, but autism is not purely genetic. Even among identical twins, there's a small minority of cases where one twin develops autism and the other one doesn't. So it's not certain whether gene therapy for autism would even work in all or most cases. There's still a lot of research that would need to be done into exactly how autism gets caused (in part) by the genes.
Anyhow, some things to be noted about "gene editing" in general:
There are two potential kinds of genetic engineering -- one of which, germline genetic engineering, is highly controversial at best, and already prohibited under an international treaty though not under U.S. law, at least according to the following (which might be a bit out of date):
- Human Gene Editing Frequently Asked Questions
- Don’t edit the human germ line
- About Human Germline Gene Editing
- Let’s Talk About the Ethics of Germline Modification
That leaves genetic medicine, which means editing the genes of a person who already exists, which is technologically a much more difficult thing to do in a way that is both safe and effective. So far there has been only one successful example that I know of, and it's extremely expensive:
- At $2 million, priciest ever medicine treats fatal genetic disease
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- Autistic in NYC - Resources and new ideas for the autistic adult community in the New York City metro area.
- Autistic peer-led groups (via text-based chat, currently) led or facilitated by members of the Autistic Peer Leadership Group.
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It's still not exactly right around the corner. Not only are there over a thousand different genetic variations associated with autism, but autism is not purely genetic. Even among identical twins, there's a small minority of cases where one twin develops autism and the other one doesn't. So it's not certain whether gene therapy for autism would even work in all or most cases. There's still a lot of research that would need to be done into exactly how autism gets caused (in part) by the genes.
Anyhow, some things to be noted about "gene editing" in general:
There are two potential kinds of genetic engineering -- one of which, germline genetic engineering, is highly controversial at best, and already prohibited under an international treaty though not under U.S. law, at least according to the following (which might be a bit out of date):
- Human Gene Editing Frequently Asked Questions
- Don’t edit the human germ line
- About Human Germline Gene Editing
- Let’s Talk About the Ethics of Germline Modification
That leaves genetic medicine, which means editing the genes of a person who already exists, which is technologically a much more difficult thing to do in a way that is both safe and effective. So far there has been only one successful example that I know of, and it's extremely expensive:
- At $2 million, priciest ever medicine treats fatal genetic disease
Besides gene editing the other possible way to a cure is through ABA deflecting the genetic predisposed wiring. But that is not probably applicable to anybody but very young children.
I agree that a cure is a long ways off so the ND movement has time to think about it but it is never to early to start.
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
Besides gene editing the other possible way to a cure is through ABA deflecting the genetic predisposed wiring. But that is not probably applicable to anybody but very young children.
That's not a cure, it's just hurting a kid until they give up
To me, an actual cure for autism may as well be death. It wouldn't be me living my life anymore. What would be the point? Heck, what would like be like for that other person, with memories of me, but clearly nothing like me? I don't think it would be fair to them, or me.
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Diagnosed autistic level 2, ODD, anxiety, dyspraxic, essential tremors, depression (Doubted), CAPD, hyper mobility syndrome
Suspected; PTSD (Treated, as my counselor did notice), possible PCOS, PMDD, Learning disabilities (Sure of it, unknown what they are), possibly something wrong with immune system (Sick about as much as I'm not) Possible EDS- hyper mobility type (Will be getting tested, suggested by doctor) dysautonomia
See my posts to you in the separate thread Anyone else feel like the diagnosis ruined their hapiness?.
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- Autistic in NYC - Resources and new ideas for the autistic adult community in the New York City metro area.
- Autistic peer-led groups (via text-based chat, currently) led or facilitated by members of the Autistic Peer Leadership Group.
I guess the person I would be if I didn't have AS traits... and my even more prominent neurodiverse trait, namely, extreme sensitivity... that person probably would be able to be happy. But I have no idea who she would be.
I wouldn't go for rewiring my brain in adulthood. That would strip me from all my self, building it from scratch in middle age would be so hard and frustrating. I would most likely become far less functional than I am now.
I wouldn't agree to rewire my daughter. She may lose her artistic talents and beautiful personality in the process.
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I wouldn't go for rewiring my brain in adulthood. That would strip me from all my self, building it from scratch in middle age would be so hard and frustrating. I would most likely become far less functional than I am now.
I wouldn't agree to rewire my daughter. She may lose her artistic talents and beautiful personality in the process.
What you write makes sense. I would be devastated to have my character altered. My family had a very hard time when drs put my Dad on medication which used to have him in an ever changing character of a person. Somehow though, he rarely changed when we had visitors, so no one believed us, not even the doctors. And he didn't even know he was doing it. His doctor said he wasn't allowed to look into it unless my Dad told him. (UK law that had come in by then).
The police were getting fed up of looking for him when he went off in a mood. He would switch just like that, and it was every time the drs changed his medication. The doctors were just not interested, even when he tried to commit suicide and the police wanred us to phone his doctor as he refused to speak to anyone else. (I have changed doctors since those days).
If I was cured but my character changed, I would be so devastated and scared... Is why I am petrified of taking any medication other then for very mild conditions where I know the medication will not make me change. I read ebery little bit of inforation if my eyes let me read it! Haha. Somw small print... Why do they bother printing it at all?
But for me, the thought that a cure could change my character is the number one concern.
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Besides gene editing the other possible way to a cure is through ABA deflecting the genetic predisposed wiring. But that is not probably applicable to anybody but very young children.
That's not a cure, it's just hurting a kid until they give up
To me, an actual cure for autism may as well be death. It wouldn't be me living my life anymore. What would be the point? Heck, what would like be like for that other person, with memories of me, but clearly nothing like me? I don't think it would be fair to them, or me.
The most brain "wiring" making you who you are occurs in the earliest part of life. Behavioral therapies do alter brain "wiring". The idea is that you can theoretically stop the brain "wiring" for autism from happening. The people lobbying for ABA know this. Why do you think there is this constant incessant push for earlier and earlier diagnosis and earlier and earlier behavioral therapies?
Constantly directing and interfering with children s natural maturing be it ABA or otherwise is harmful in many ways.
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
Of course there should be an opt in or out option for adults, as with most other treatments.
I don't see it for kids though as it would be up to their parents same as for other operations, treatments, cures, vaccines.
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