Thread

1. mlboss · 1789596855 · focus · HN ↗

   > Autism is genetic. You’re born autistic and you’re autistic for life. Most autistic people are autistic because of genes they got from their parents. This is why autism often runs in families. Much less commonly, other factors can play a role, but usually in combination with genes from parents. There isn’t a single ‘autism gene’. Thousands of genes combine to make a person autistic. Scientists have identified many of these genes, but they think there are still many more to find. And there is no genetic test for autism. We don't fully understand how genes combine to make a person autistic. It is complex and no simple test can give an accurate answer. Genetic testing cannot predict whether a child will be autistic or not, and it can’t be used to diagnose someone as autistic.

   Autism is genetic but we cannot do genetic testing and prove that you have autism. Seems like a very circular reasoning.

   1. plqbfbv · 1789597816 · focus · HN ↗

      I understand that they found strong enough evidence that it's a genetic condition, but at the same time it's not one single gene, it's a combination of many that combine to create the full spectrum, hence no easy genetic test. They'll get there in time as technology and research evolve. I don't see any circular reasoning.

      EDIT: they have a FAQ about it: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.autism.org.uk&#x2F;advice-and-guidance&#x2F;about-autism&#x2F;what-causes-autism" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.autism.org.uk&#x2F;advice-and-guidance&#x2F;about-autism&#x2F;w...

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