'Lightning Striking Twice': Autism Genes Randomly Mutated, Study Finds

[Godhumor]

NBC News
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/lightning-striking-twice-autism-genes-randomly-mutated-study-finds-n293971

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A new genetic study shows even siblings with autism often have very different DNA mutations from one another— a finding that strengthens the evidence that autism is often just genetic bad luck.

The deep dive into the DNA of 170 people with autism spectrum disorder shows that more than 69 percent of brothers and sisters with autism had different DNA mutations underlying their disorders, Dr. Stephen Scherer of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada and colleagues found.

"It's random mutation in these families. It just happens to be lightning striking twice," Scherer said.

...

"It is largely just a random effect," Scherer said. "Everybody in the population accumulates new mutations in the genome when they are conceived."
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Posting in GD, as it was published yesterday. Yet more evidence showing that Autism is genetic and generally random.

[dilby]

1. I would not say autism is genetic bad luck.

There are plenty of autistic people who have made huge contributions to society and would probably never accomplished what they did without being autistic.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. Random events of increasing frequency aren't random.

In other words, there's no such thing as a genetic epidemic.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-rise-driven-by-environment/

[Godhumor]

3. The study is not arguing frequency is increasing

Instead it is saying that mutations in autistic individuals differ from person to person. This implies genetic causes as environmental should lead to very similar mutations occurring.

Study makes no claims in the autism rates are increasing vs we're just getting better at diagnosing fight.

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. The rate of increase can't be explained away through changing diagnoses or awareness.

It's a real increase in prevalence.