Re: Scientists Link Gene Mutation to Autism Risk

[Guest guest]

Anoush Ahmeb wrote:

> NYT, April 4

>

> Teams of scientists working independently have for the first time

> identified several gene mutations that they agree sharply increase the

> chances that a child will develop autism

>

<http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/autism/overview.html?inline=nyt\

-classifier>.

> They have found further evidence that the risk increases with the age of

> the parents, particularly in fathers over age 35....

>

> see link below,

> Anoush

>

>

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/health/research/scientists-link-rare-gene-muta\

tions-to-heightened-risk-of-autism.html?nl=todaysheadlines & emc=edit_ae_20120404

>

<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/health/research/scientists-link-rare-gene-mut\

ations-to-heightened-risk-of-autism.html?nl=todaysheadlines & emc=edit_ae_20120404\

>

Don't worry.

The " sharp increase " is a small fraction of 1% *above control rates*

for *already rare* mutations. The actual research paper makes this

clear. The news hoopla does not.

That bit about risk increases in fathers over 35 is interesting, for

sure. ...But it's not altogether surprising either.

- Bill ...AS, retired clinical/research geneticist

--

WD " Bill " Loughman - Berkeley, California USA

http://home.earthlink.net/~wdloughman/wdl.htm