David Suzuki in Fredericton
Photo by Charles LeBlanc
When David Suzuki speaks people listen as shown in this photo by New Brunswick blogger Charles LeBlanc taken in the United Church near my office in downtown Fredericton. As you can see the church was, literally, filled to the rafters. David Suzuki is one of the most trusted voices in Canada in explaining science and the world in which we live.
On Thursday December 8 David Suzuki will be presenting the Autism Enigma on "The Nature of Things". I have no idea what will be said, what perspectives will be offered, or whether I will agree with all, or any, of what is said, but, because it is David Suzuki narrating, I will be shocked if it is not a well informed, balanced and objective discussion of the subject. This "autism dad" will be listening. I encourage others with an interest in understanding possible causes of autism disorders to do the same.
The following press release was provided by Laurie Mawlam, Executive Director of Autism Canada:
(CORRECTION NOTICE - The Autism Enigma will air at 8 pm Atlantic, not 9 pm as I had previously indicated. HLD)
THE AUTISM ENIGMA,
THE STARTLING NEW DOCUMENTARY FROM COGENT/BENGER,
AIRS ON CBC's "THE NATURE OF THINGS"
THURSDAY DECEMBER 8, 8 PM ET, 8 PM Atlantic
Available for phoners: Marion Gruner, Dr. Derrick MacFabe of University of Western Ontario, Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, Microbiologist at University of Guelph.
TORONTO November 7, 2011. THE AUTISM ENIGMA, the new documentary from the award-winning Cogent/Benger Productions, tackles one of the most contentious issues in medicine today: the various, and often conflicting, hypotheses about autism’s cause. It airs on CBC's "The Nature of Things" on Thursday December 8, 8 PM (ET/PT)(8:30 PM Nfld)(8 PM Atlantic), with a second window on December 15 (10PM ET/PT. 10:30 Nfld.)(11PM Atlantic).
The film presents the fresh perspective of the “Bacterial Theory” of autism. Director Marion Gruner (a new mother who decided to investigate autism rather than just worry) along with co-director Christopher Sumpton, went beyond celebrity-endorsed theories and common assumptions to make new research accessible and understandable to all parents.
Narrated by David Suzuki, The Autism Enigma is written and directed by Marion Gruner (Pharma Sutra) and Christopher Sumpton (Pedal Power), produced by Christopher Sumpton, Robin Benger (Sex Scandals in Religion, Five Roads to Freedom), and Marion Gruner. Cinematography by Michael Grippo, csc, editing by Matthew Campea, and original music composed by Kevan Staples.
Autism is the fastest rising developmental disorder in the industrialized world. Even accounting for better diagnosis, its numbers have increased by an astounding 600% in the last twenty years. Even more disturbing is that science cannot say why. Research is inconclusive, but the emerging theme is that autism, while possibly stemming from genetic vulnerability, is triggered by environmental factors. Is something in our Western lifestyle proving too much for children to bear? Some say it’s the canary in the coalmine. Many say it’s an emergency.
Meanwhile, 70% of children with autism exhibit severe gastrointestinal symptoms, prompting some microbiologists to direct their research to an unexpected place - and ask whether autism actually begins in the gut.
The Autism Enigma looks at the progress of an international group of scientists examining the gut’s amazingly diverse and powerful microbial ecosystem for clues to the baffling disorder, and the extraordinary efforts of parents who have been relentlessly pushing science forward in hopes of finding answers for their children’s condition.
The documentary features: Laurie Mawlam, Executive Director of Autism Canada, Dr. Derrick MacFabe of University of Western Ontario, Adar Hassan and Idman Roble of the Somali Parent Support Group, Toronto, Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, Microbiologist at University of Guelph, and some children and child care workers from Puzzle Pieces Ltd.
The Autism Enigma is a Cogent/Benger Productions production made in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and ARTE France, and with the assistance of The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
Robin Benger and Christopher Sumpton teamed up in 1997 to produce In Security for the CBC, which then led to Eastside Showdown for the NFB. Cogent/Benger Productions was formed in 1999 to continue in the same vein, producing relevant, creative documentaries such as Sex Scandals in Religion, Five Roads to Freedom, Pedal Power, Porndemic, Pharma Sutra, China’s Leap of Faith, How To Stop a Hurricane, which received the innovation prize at the Pariscience Film Festival, Money & The Maker, The In-Between World of MG Vassanji, Destiny: The Life & Times of Paul Anka and Wolverine: Devil Of The North. C/BP's programs have been seen on Canadian networks, such as CBC, CTV and Discovery, as well as internationally.
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