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. FuckButtons · 1789611383 · focus · HN ↗

      That seems like a pointedly naive viewpoint. You can have clearly predictive population level statistics about prevalence in family groups without clearly understanding the (very messy and unbelievably complicated) way that genetics shapes brain development.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.