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when tested on mice
How do they know if a mouse is autistic?
I didn't even know mice could be autistic.
You just look for the mice that are really into trains.
or dinosaurs
My Trains by Lemon Demon starts playing
Lots of animals can. I think they discovered dogs and cats can be in the 60's or something?
The headline is so hyperbolic it's basically a lie. It becomes a little tricky because autism spectrum disorder is kind of a broad category. There are certain diseases that have clear genetic causes, other features to their phenotype besides just autism like features, but may share some aspects of autism spectrum disorder symptoms. So often these get lumped in with autism and patients with those disorders also get a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. For instance people with fragile x syndrome commonly get an autism diagnosis, but there's many other features to it as well.
This article stub if following a link at the end is referencing a gene called shank3. It's not involved in most people classified as having autism spectrum disorder. Mutations in shank3 causes a distinct disorder called Phelan-McDermid syndrome that causes severe intellectual disability, dysmorphic features, autism like features, motor issues, and abnormalities across multiple body systems. Shank3 mutations have also been linked with some cases of schizophrenia. A small minority of people with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder have shank3 mutations that may be responsible or pre disposing. So they are testing a gene therapy in mice engineered to have shank3 mutations. Which in humans can have a broad array of phenotypes depending on the mutation, many devastating and severe, some phenotypes of which include autism like features. This will not be very applicable to the vast majority of people classified as having an autism spectrum disorder.
So essentially, similar to cancer cures that cure one specific type of cancer but not the rest. I suppose it's still progress, one step at a time
Article above is paywalled. This seems to be word for word the same but isn't paywalled (maybe):
Anyway. Quite impressive if true. So far this seems to have an effect on mice. But humans aren't mice. We shall see if anything comes from this.
It's really not cool, man.
I don't see why not. Or is this an animal rights thing?
No, they mean that Autism shouldn't be cured, which is a common Gen Z take because they see all nuerodivergence as positive and innately of value.
Oh that...
Yeah, I've seen that take before. Usually done by people who consider themselves "allies" or have a very mild and none disruptive autism.
I would happily make my "special neurodivergence" go away with a shot. And mine is trivial compared to autism.
Fuck anyone with the attitude you describe.
Autism isn't just a condition, that's the deal, Autism is a heavily different way of thinking. It shapes Autistic behavior and their viewpoint on life. To them, science has been dedicated to focusing on eradicating a component of their existence, one that a lot of them (definitely not all, there are a lot with your opinion, but I would say a majority) have embraced and wouldn't want changed. Those Autistics are looking for acceptance, not erasure.
With an anti-Autism treatment available, neurotypical parents will just force it on their Autistic kids, deciding their fate for them, but would also open up an "out" for those who want it, so this isn't a clear cut good-or-bad thing as one may think.
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Hello Genism my old friend
Do we really need to have the debate about ASD not needing to be "cured", again ?
Do you include folks with level 3 non verbal autism with greater epilepsy frequency and self harm in the group that doesn't need a therapy?
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There shouldn't be a debate. If it can be cured that's great. You don't need it don't take it - but there are barely functioning people who can't take care of themselves at all. They do need help.
Tho I honestly don't think it can be cured.
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Heads up, South China Morning post is an unreliable source for news.
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this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2023
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