Autism Research
... or maybe not
A significant percentage of what is described as "autism research" is in reality eugenics research.This is more than the mere fundraising appeal of including the word "autism" in the description. Autism has two characteristics that are interesting from the standpoint of eugenics research:
Autism has another advantage -- "Autism" has more appeal than "eugenics"research". People are more likely to give money for something identified with autism than for "eugenics research".
- Autism is 95% hereditary, and
- Autism is genetically multifactorial. (i.e., rather than a single genetic factor, autism is believed to be caused by multiple genetic factors.)
Hence we are seeing organizations describing autism fundraising but generally promoting a public perception of autism that is generally harmful to autistics. This approach to fundraising would be counterproductive if the purpose were (as stated) to support autistics.
Avoiding describing eugenics research has another benefit. There are a number of groups which, for a variety of reasons, would oppose eugenics research. This is more than a matter of lucrative fundraising; rather it is important to avoid generating very real opposition from well-organsied groups focused on "sanctity of life" issues.
On a more practical level, since this particular type of eugenics research relies on promoting government-funded abortion based on genetic traits, its promoters need to find a euphemism for selective abortion. "Autism" makes an ideal substitute since right-to-life groups have historically looked other way when the research is focused on a perceived disability, and those not opposed to abortion on principle will perhaps not notice.
Labelling eugenics research as "research on autism" also allows researchers to obtain matching funds for what is essentially government-funded research for abortion. Since anti-abortion groups follow an unwritten rule to avoid criticism of government-funded research if "disabilities" are involved, the genetic research can continue without scrutiny.
Identifying Eugenics Research Fundraising Disguised as Autism Fundraising
Eugenics research under the guise of Autism Fundraising is easy to identify from the descriptions of the research. This does take a bit of analysis of the descriptions but is actually easier than most web analysis (e.g., easier than identifying "astroturfed" restaurant reviews on consumer websites).Typically, the word, "autism" is added in a few aspects:
Further eugenics "buzzwords" or jargon is common:
- The word "autism" inserted into generalized genetic research descriptions;
- The word "autism" inserted into a description of "early detection";
- "Autism" is used as a basis for genetic research.
This is the most complex description to analyze because autism is in fact an ideal research tool for eugenics research -- even though this has no relationship to actually benefiting autistics.Unfortunately, researching financial distribution by some organizations purporting to be focused on autism can be particularly difficult. For example, as of June, 2011, Autism Speaks terminates their listing of research at 2007. Regardless, a review of Autism Speaks' 2007 research makes a good exercise in analyzing the purpose and focus of research from a eugenics perspective. [1]
- "early detection"
- "genetic markers"
- This is where autism makes an ideal research testbed. Autism has a strong genetic component (up to 95% hereditary) but is multifactorial. This is a case where eugenics research is actually using autistics as experimental or test subjects rather then merely adding the word "autism" to the research summary description.
- "Prenatal Diagnosis"; "Prenatal Testing"
- Consider that autism is a personality type. How would "prenatal" testing or identification be at all useful?
Links
This Website
- Autistics als Lebensunwertes Leben Abortion, Eugenics and the Politics of Autism - The Eugenics of Autism, whether to abort for autism and abortion as related to autism
- "Lebensunwertes Leben" (Life unworthy of life) was used as a descriptive slogan the Nazi T4 Program.
- Abortion and Eugenics of Autism
- Prenatal Testing and Prenatal Screening
- Environmental Fad-Causes of Autism
- back to index
External Links
2008 US Presidential Campaign
- The McCain campaign claimed to be anti-abortion, but pointedly has taken an official position of promotion of "early screening" when it comes to autism. Presumably, they're anti-abortion except when it comes to autism. "Early screening" for a genetic condition is essentially advocating abortion.
"As President, John McCain will work to advance federal research into autism, promote early screening..." - John McCain - Combating Autism in America
2012 US Presidential Campaign
- Autism has not been a focus of the campaign, other than the implications of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") and Social Security.
Obama has appointed Ari Ne'eman to the Council on Disabilities, which is the first Presidental appointment of a declared Autistic. (Ne'eman is also the youngest person to be awarded a Presidental appointment.)
Elizabeth Emken, former Vice President for Government Relations at Autism Speaks is the Republicans' token candidate opposing Dianne Feinstein in the 2012 California US Senate election. Pre-election polls have Dianne Feinstein leading Emken by 18 points. Either there are a very high percentage of Autistics in California (the "Silicon Valley Effect"?) or perhaps Dianne Feinstein is popular.
opposed to eugenics
- Commercial Eugenics (also here (Tripod.com site))
- From "Whose Planet Is It Anyway?" The abortion debate that wasn't - Under the radar, pregnancies increasingly are being terminated when fetuses are prenatally diagnosed with disabilities"
- Autistic Genocide Clock
examples of the "cure" approach
- "Ready or not, here come genetic tests for autism"
- This article indicates that, except for conditions such as Retts syndrome, the testing is limited to "hindsight" searching for a genetic cause. It also states that the information may be harmful. Nevertheless, they state:
"Genetic tests 'are absolutely ready for prime time,' says Arthur Beaudet, chair of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas."The obvious conclusion is that "early screening" means a very serious attempt at eliminating autistics.
Written 4-Feb-07 and first posted 20-Jul-08. Last revised 28-Oct-12.
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