Scientists Link Rare Gene Mutations to Heightened Risk of Autism - NYT

[Guest guest]

The reporter admits, " The gene mutations are extremely rare and together

account for a tiny fraction of autism cases... " but nonetheless offers

worship-like praise of the genetics model, whose overemphasis I've long

paraphrased as " genetics uber alles " . Perhaps a rare reporter or several

will contemplate etiologically significant factors in the subgroup not

contained in the " tiny fraction of autism cases " . For instance, findings

by Windham et al and by RF Palmer et al seem equally and perhaps more

robust.

//

Scientists Link Gene Mutation to Autism Risk

By BENEDICT CAREY

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

tions-to-heightened-risk-of-autism.html

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. They have found further

evidence that the risk increases with the age of the parents,

particularly in fathers over age 35.

The gene mutations are extremely rare and together account for a tiny

fraction of autism cases --- in these studies, only a handful of

children. Experts said the new research gave scientists something they

had not had: a clear strategy for building some understanding of the

disease's biological basis.

Scientists have been debating the relative influence of inherited risk

and environmental factors in autism for decades....

- - - -

Autism spectrum disorders in relation to distribution of hazardous air

pollutants in the san francisco bay area.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16966102>

Windham GC, Zhang L, Gunier R, Croen LA, Grether JK.

Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Sep;114(9):1438-44.

Environmental mercury release, special education rates, and autism

disorder: an ecological study of Texas.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16338635>

Palmer RF, Blanchard S, Stein Z, Mandell D, C.

Health Place. 2006 Jun;12(2):203-9.

Proximity to point sources of environmental mercury release as a

predictor of autism prevalence.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18353703>

Palmer RF, Blanchard S, Wood R.

Health Place. 2009 Mar;15(1):18-24.v

PS: This post may be forwarded hither & yon.