Comments on: Them’s Fighting Words 2: Genetic Testing, Prenatal

By: Prenatal Genetic Testing for Autism: Two Perspectives

Prenatal Genetic Testing for Autism: Two Perspectives — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:44:25 +0000

[...] circles, to the point that the very term prenatal genetic test for autism can be considered a fighting words. Two fellow bloggers (and parents) provide some thoughtful commentary on this [...]

By: Autism Vox » A Lot of Knowledge Is Not a Bad Thing: Prenatal Testing and Diagnosis

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:42:32 +0000

[...] Back in the earlier days of this blog, I referred to “prenatal genetic testing” as a “fighting word“: Simply put, the notion of a prenatal genetic test for autism brings with it the possibility of expecting parents finding out that their child-to-be has autism, and of the parents choosing not to have the child—-of eugenic abortion. [...]

By: Autism Vox » Why Inclusion Does Not Always—Often—Work

Autism Vox » Why Inclusion Does Not Always—Often—Work — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 10:55:32 +0000

[...] Inclusion, while not exactly a fighting word like “cure” or prenatal genetic testing in autism circles, can certainly arouse strong emotions and opinions in parents. When Charlie was just starting out in his ABA program over seven years ago, “full inclusion” was a goal. When he was seven, he attended some “specials”—-music and library—with his same-age peers and an aide, and many “disruptive” behavior problems. In retrospect, I think that better training of the aide and better planning with supports built in like a token system might have made these experiences more successful. At this time, Charlie is in a self-contained autism classroom (in a public school in our town) and has never done better at school, and, at least for this time, mainstreaming does not seem like the educational option that will best help him learn. [...]

By: Autism Vox » Genetic Counseling and Autism

Autism Vox » Genetic Counseling and Autism — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 03:16:24 +0000

[...] The Southern Health Magazine article attempts to “explode the myths” concerning genetic testing and abortion. This particular topic has made pre-natal genetic testing a fighting word in discussions about autism, among autistics and the parents of autistic children in particular. The Southern Health Magazine article quotes a number of medical professionals in considering these issues. “Often parents-to-be decline genetic testing thinking they are invincible or that we will ask them to abort,” says Reddy. “Both reasons are wrong and I cannot stress that enough.” [...]

By: Autism Vox » Genetics and Autism Interview

Autism Vox » Genetics and Autism Interview — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:11:07 +0000

[...] You write two popular blogs about autism and have said that genetic testing are “fightin’ words.” Can you tell us more about the view of genetic testing in the autism community? [...]

By: Genetics and Health » Gene Talk #5: Injecting Sense

Genetics and Health » Gene Talk #5: Injecting Sense — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 17:13:16 +0000

[...] From being friends with Kristina of Autism Vox, I know that genetics is a hot button topic in the autism community or “fighting words” as she calls them. But I don’t think I quite “got it” until I read this past week’s Injecting Sense post by Wade Rankin. If the construct of autism is defined by a constellation of dysfunctions, an appropriate response includes interventions to counteract the problems. If, on the other hand, autism is a mere cognitive difference that resulting solely from genetics unrelated to any environmental insult, then no amount of intervention will make a difference anyway. From the practical side, the real issue becomes safety of protocols. The ethical dilemma, however, is unresolvable. [...]

By: Autism Vox » Genetics Research and Autism

Autism Vox » Genetics Research and Autism — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 15:29:50 +0000

[...] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Related Posts: The Autism Project: Genetics and Bioethics…“We mustall play god when it comes to genetics”…Genetics, Excuses, and Myths…NAAR’s Research “Partners”…“Mutant mice” and autism genetics…Autism and the Weather…Gene interaction, autism, and race… [...]

By: Autism Vox » The Autism Project: Genetics and Bioethics

Autism Vox » The Autism Project: Genetics and Bioethics — Sat, 27 May 2006 18:35:45 +0000

[...] The possibility of a future prenatal genetic test for autism raises more than a few tough ethical questions. If such a test is developed, would people who learned that they might have an autistic child choose not to have that child—choose eugenic abortion? It is also true that people, knowing that they will have an autistic child, could start to learn how to care for their child earlier than most parents do and start to find the best therapies and therapies for their child. And that is why the mention of “cure” and “autism” together evokes so much controversy, discussion, feeling, and more. [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 18 May 2006 12:37:35 +0000

Thanks for the thanks, abfh—-Dr. Lei at geneticsandhealth.com is contacting Baylor School of Medicine to ask about that. I do think the website–just by the way it is set up–suggests that the test, or some other genetic test, could be used to prenatally test for autism.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 18 May 2006 12:07:47 +0000

Based on the “Autism Every Day” video and following the response to it, it seems to me that the general public’s perception of autism is not exactly positive—the great sadnesss cited by some of the mothers was that their kids would not, could “never be able” to do “normal” things, like getting married, dancing with a bride, etc.. The struggle ahead seems to me to involve showing that the “real autism every day” is not the “devastation” portrayed in the video and promoted by Autism Speaks.

Joseph, I agree, this is a moral issue and something beyond that. And it looks like this science IS happening and we need to get this discussion into as many ears as possible.