Autism Is Genetic Eh? Really?

Autism, it's gotta be genetic, even if we can't see the evidence

No one disputes that autism has a genetic link or links somewhere, now if only we can find it ............  or them.

"Researchers say they have identified gene mutations that contribute to autism in three separate studies. The mutations identified were rare and aren’t necessarily present in the parents, only the offspring, which has made finding them difficult for scientists.     [Emphasis added - HLD]

“It just goes to show how complex the genetic architecture of autism is,” says Thomas Lehner, chief of the NIMH Genomics Research Branch, which funded one of the studies and helped to create the Autism Sequencing Consortium. Together, the studies allow scientists to estimate for the first time that some 500 to 1,000 mutations are likely involved in autism, Lehner tells the Health Blog. Abstracts for the studies, which were published in Nature, can be found here, here, and here. 

The work, conducted by three separate research groups on independent patient samples, also confirms earlier research that older paternal age appears a risk factor for the condition."

Wall Street Journal Health Blog, Complex Genetic Mutations Contribute to Autism, Studies Say

Notwithstanding the lack of any specific identifiable genes directly connected  to autism disorders researchers continue to push their beliefs that autism is primarily genetic.  Actually what they are really saying is autism is a disorder found in humans with different genetic makeups for which .... however ... there is no need to devote research dollars to conducting serious environmentally focused autism research.  After all if man made toxins are involved in any way in causing or triggering autism disorders then presumably corporate profit making ventures could be put at risk.  Better to mention paternal age again and invent a new genetic paradigm to explain why, notwithstanding the lack of any real evidence, we have to believe, we must believe, that autism is genetic.  Profits depend on us being devout in our "autism is genetic" faith.  Oh and by the way autism is not really rising despite changes in estimates, in less than two decades from 1 in 500 to 1 in 88.  

The explanations for the failure to identify specific genes connected to autism are beginning to sound funny.  Or they would be funny if autism research wasn't a serious matter for those who are, or whose children are, severely impacted by autism disorders. 

While parents and researchers calling for more environmentally focused autism research are demeaned or, at best, ignored, the autism research community by and large remains unwavering in its devoutly held faith that autism is, autism has to be, genetic.

The word from the autism research community remains the same: Carry on regardless.  Carry on regardless of whether we see any evidence to support the autism is genetic belief.