Autism researchers are currently conducting genetic studies with the goal of developing a prenatal test. Dr. Joseph Buxbaum, who heads the Autism Genome Project at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said in an interview posted on MSNBC.com on Feb. 23, 2005, that there could be a prenatal test within 10 years. Click here for the full text of the article.
These studies are funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (United States). For those of us who are Americans, that means our tax money is being used to pay for this research. (It is also funded in part by Autism Speaks, the successor organization to Cure Autism Now and the National Alliance for Autism Research.) Although reasonable people can and do differ on political issues concerning abortion, there are very significant ethical concerns associated with funding for autism genetic research.
The prevalence of autistic spectrum conditions is approximately 1 in 110. (Source: National Autistic Society UK.) This equates to a global autistic population of about 55 million. It is likely that millions more are genetically autistic and, because of a favorable combination of genes or the good fortune to avoid environmental stresses, have not developed any problems significant enough to warrant a diagnosis. The number of people whose genes would be identified as “defective” by a test such as Dr. Buxbaum describes could easily be more than 100 million. That is equivalent to more than one-third of the US population, or the total populations of the UK, Canada, and Australia combined.
Such testing would amount to eugenics on the largest scale in human history.
Once again, this is not just about the question of whether a woman should have the right to choose abortion. When the government funds the development of a prenatal test for a condition that has been shrilly described in the media as an “epidemic,” and when doctors routinely administer such a test, this creates a coercive environment in which pregnant women will make the abortion decision on the basis of panic, stereotypes, and worst-case-scenario information. Obstetricians routinely advise women of the worst possible consequences of any condition for which a prenatal test is given; they do this to avoid legal liability. Under such circumstances, the abortion decision is not truly a knowing and voluntary choice by the woman.
Many of us have children on the autistic spectrum. We know that our kids are worthwhile human beings who have much to contribute to society. Like any other parents, we want our children to grow up in a world where they are accepted and valued. If you are outraged that the American government has targeted children like ours for extermination, then do something about it! Start reading autistic civil rights websites and learn more about the extent of prejudice and discrimination. Get involved in autistic advocacy groups. March with your family in an autistic pride parade. Build your own website discussing your views and your family’s experiences. Contact your representatives in Congress and tell them what you think about autism genetic research. Submit a comment to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee — iacc@mail.nih.gov — during its annual public comment period (in or around December of each year) expressing your views on how federal funds for autism research should be allocated.
Whatever you decide to do, and there are many ways to get involved, just don’t wait too long. The clock is ticking…
It’s so depressing to read about this stuff. People tell you that you’re a freak who needs to be cured, and it lowers your self-confidence enough for curebies to cite is as a reason to cure autism.
Sadly people fear that which is different than them sometimes they even try to destroy that which is different. Sadly this is a driving force behind the cure campaigns they don’t understand us so they assume that we are broken or that we suffer and so on so they convince themselves that whipping out any future people like us is humane when it is actually genocide of an entire people.
I don’t consider any person with autism a freek. But, I wish desperately to be able to communicate with my two sons- the way you have just written your emotions. They can not even do that. Some of us, just need answers to simple questions like “why are you crying?” or “what is the matter?” so I can help them when my sons are upset. You are blessed to be able to be able to express your feelings freely- there are alot who are not.
When I first heared of possable prenatal Autism testing I almost started crying thinking about all Autisic babies that won’t be around to help change the world.
Damn dirty apes
Oh my god… they are trying to get rid of autistic people… This is pure evil. This is unfair. This is nearly nazi status, getting rid of autistics? routine abortion?! This is genocide, there should be mass protest about this!