DNA diagnosis for autism?
September 20, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
“It will be profoundly interesting to understand why people behave differently and have different capabilities. We can dissect the essence of schizophrenia, bipolarism and autism to find out how the brain doesn’t work. The essense of schizophrenia is the brain can’t function. You are seeing the essence of stupidity. The same systems tweaked slightly the other way will be the essence of intelligence. We can find out why some people can play piano better than others—just a better brain, you have to be bright to play Rachmaninoff. My goal would be in ten years everyone with a mental disease would get DNA diagnosis first.”
So Dr. James Watson, who discovered the structure of DNA along with Francis Crick, said in a September 19th interview at the AMD Global Vision Conference.
A question: At one point would this DNA diagnosis occur? Before a child was born?
Go here to read Dr. James Watson reflects on DNA research in the 21st century.
For a brilliant man, he sure does have a rotten way with words. Could it be arrogance? I wonder how he feels about the neurological “stupidity” of aging…? Does he have a DNA plan for that? (PS- keep him away from my kid’s brain…)
I wonder what clinical definition he’s using for “stupidity.” The definition I’m currently mulling has something to do with medical professionals who use pejorative language to talk about the nature of disability…
And “mental disease” has been puzzling me……
Actually, if he thinks it’s all in the genes, he’s sadly mistaken.
Reciprocal gene-environment interaction.
Watson also thinks we should be using gene therapy to ensure that all girls are born pretty… and no, I’m not kidding:
http://www.alternet.org/story/16026/
From the same article, this Watson gem: “If you really are stupid, I would call that a disease.”
And for all boys to be born handsome? Yeah right…..
Wow, I actually agree on something with David Andrews.
If Watson wants to build a better human, maybe he should pull his head out of his anus and start with himself.