In a discussion about autism on TIPS a while back, a questions was raised about the role of genetics and heritability in autism. I recently came across a compelling but also quite concerning article titled , "Lack of Positive Heritability Findings in Autism Provides Compelling Evidence to Shift Priority to More Promising Environmental Factors Research." by Mark Blaxill, Vice President, Coalition for SafeMinds. The basic thesis is that, "despite the pooling of 1500 families with multiple affected children, the results produced a result little different than what one might expect from a randomized group of unaffected families" . . . as well as failing to replicate any of the most highly touted suggestive findings from earlier genome scans. That is, provided with enormous resource support and under the most favorable study conditions, the AGPC found no evidence of heritability. . . . However, the authors fail to acknowledge the negative genome findings and, instead highlight isolated findings of a new area: de novo genetic mutations in their study subjects . . but these AGPC results were tentative and inconclusive . . .The most striking conclusion, in light of the remarkable resources and favorable conditions, was that the AGPC results were indistinguishable from the null hypothesis of no heritability effect." And yet quotes from some of the authors to the media imply give an impression quite to the contrary. . .'We have known for years that autism is a strongly genetic disorder--this study helps us to significantly advance research on genetic mechanisms (Dr. Volkmar) and "Not only have we found which haystack the needle is in, we now know where in the haystack that needle is located." (Dr. Szatmari) and Dr. Buxbaum, "The evidence suggests that autism is over 90% caused by genes." . . "There is a single sentence in the discussion section that states 'None of our linkage results can be interpreted as statistically significant because we have performed numerous analyses of the data,' which is (then)ignored in the remaining portions and in the overall tone of the article. The vast majority of the reporting and discussion is devoted to the CNV findings, which themselves are noted in passing as being inconsistent across families and even within sibling pairs.
Blaxill strongly believes that the authors insistence on supporting research on the genetic foundation for autism is motivated and influenced by financial gains by the a authors.. . "20% of AGPC authors have been listed as inventors on a gene patent, many of which involved genes involved in autism (and) 50% of the AGPC lead investigators have filed gene patents. (Also) Dr. Scherer "a lead investigator of the AGPC and member of the scientific advisory board of CombiMatrix, has announced a commercial partnership with CombiMatrix to develop genetic screening techniques. This partnership appears to be reliant on the AGPC data and would therefore have a clear commercial interest in a positive result." Blaxill continues by stating that though "there is nothing wrong with public-private partnership, it is important to recognize that academic researchers involved in patent development and commercial activities may hold economic interest that rise above their career interests in funding their own research." Especially chilling that, 'Of particular note in the "Competing Interests Statements" at the end of the paper by Nature Genetics says, The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests." Braxill concludes that "despite their weak evidence and unsupported claims, the study authors have not adequately faced the implications of three decades of failure in the gene transmission hypothesis of autism causation (due to)their institutional and commercial interests . . and that "It is time to move on to more productive activities and focus research on areas that can more rapidly help individuals with autism and prevent future cases through the removal of environmental triggers." There are other disturbing articles about this strong hold that genetics have on the cause of all other types of disorders but this post has gone on too long as it is. Sorry for that folks but this would appear to be an extremely important article that I wished to share. Joan Joan Warmbold Boggs Professor of Psychology Oakton Community College [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=2397 or send a blank email to leave-2397-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
