RADIO 5 LIVE, PRE-NATAL AUTISM TEST

[missionimpossible]

Did anyone catch the item earlier this am regarding a test that is very close to being perfected to detect autism is an unborn child? I've tried to listen again on their website, but it's not yet available - will try later.

It was interesting to hear what a parent of an autistic child had to say regarding whether they would have chosen to end the pregnancy with a 'positive' test.

Although I fully support choice, it made me really sad to think that autism had come to the point where it will be considered ok not to let them be born ... was hoping and preying society may one day change and be more accepting - I think i'm a idealist and my dh says I don't live in the real world .... that's ironic!

I didn't realise they ahd identified the cause of Autism, so how can they test for it pre-nataly??? Or maybe i'm just being a bit thick, i'm not very up on the technical/genetic side of things.

I personlly would not abort (assuming there were a test). There are some circumstances when I would maybe consider an abortion but certainly Autism is not one of them.

My ds's autism is a result of brain damage caused by his very prem birth, he also has CP. SO no test available in his case anyway.

It wasn't really clear as to what exactly the test was (although I may have missed that bit), but was mainly discussing the 'ethical' issues such a test would create.

I would say they are light years away from a test, as there must be so many different genes involved in the spectrum. And a positive test does not determine outcome or overall functioning levels, or temperament, or other factors. Just look at the immense variety of children and adults on the spectrum on this board, for example.

I heard the Radio 4 programme too. It really scares me that Autism would even be considered as a reason to abort a child. Even if we could identify one or more genes linked to the condition, it is no predictor of outcome. I know a lady with identical autistic twins. One is in MS school and the other is in full time residential care.

It reinforced the image of the autistic 'savant' which is so rare, and again propels the myths that we all work so hard to defeat.

Many of my DS's difficulties are excacerbated by ignorance. When his needs are met, his autism becomes less siginificant and a bright, happy little boy appears. We need to build on awareness and understanding autism, not eradicating it. Children like my DS then stand every chance of growing into 'worthwhile' (tongue in cheek )adults with their own valuable contribution to society.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7736196.stm

BBC news website link to the autism testing debate, today, plus comments from people.

The news link from Amber is more balanced than the radio interview i heard, thank goodness. Perhaps because it can be edited before broadcast?

Just listened to full show. Was interesting as the Prof. said test was only a few years away. However, it also mentioned if it screened positive for autism, it would not be able to tell how severe ie" ASD,Aspergers or severe. The usual ethical debate.

www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/programmes/

select 'breakfast' and 'weds'

(scroll to 1.36 mins into the programme)

all this testing malarky is going too far now. i refused tests in pregnancy because i wanted my babies regardless.just waiting on ginger tests coming out now!im terrified that all babies that are "non-perfect" will be terminated,what a nightmare.its sad that some people still just see a label and not the person.what is wrong with the world?, many with disbilities give so much to mankind.Can u imagine a world without einstien,steven hawkin or bill gates? well we wouldnt be on mumsnet for a start, cause without bill the internet wouldnt exist.no one can judge a unborn babies potential regardless of "genes".

And how do we define 'potential'? Do we have to have a high IQ and be slim and beautiful and have 100 Facebook friends and a large house and a husband and two adoring children in order to be 'successful'. You'd think so from the way that the marketing people and society sometimes talk. So much pressure on people to feel like failures if their child is going to be different from this, or if they are. Shouldn't be that way, it really shouldn't.

thats what i mean , its all a pile of hairy boll*cks! (as in disgusting),my dd4 is fabulous, i love her ,and if anyone said i should have aborted her id rip their tongue out and shove it where the sun dont shine!

in fact , consultant was told to feck off when he suggested testing for abnormalities so we would have choice to abort.(dd4 is getting tested now,but thats to see whats what and find out whats bestfor her, different as to whether or not to keep her.)

drplus8 pml at ginger test .... wonder if they'll bring one out for 'short, fat, blonde birds' ?? that's me done then ......

fook sake lass, blonde IS designer baby material, youd be a keeper thats for sure. IM ginger , one for the chop...>>

tis all getting a bit hitler-esq ,thats what he tried too, get rid of the "non-perfects",create a master race,....bollocks to that, world is better place with people how they are, couldnt care if your tall/small/black/white/anything in between/able bodied/disabled/a gobby git/non-verbal/deaf/blind/one limbed/overweight/underweight /ect,ect.ect. bottom line is everyone has a right to live.

Dragging this one up again .... did anyone see the "Big Question" this am? I can't do links, but the web page is below: otherwise go onto BBC Iplayer , todays date and select daytime - 10am to watch. Interesting chat about pre-natal testing on many SN including autism. Had a great guy on, I assume was AS - really made the point I think.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00gvg6d/b00gvfyn/The_Big_Questions_Series_2_Episode_4/

It's a very thoughtful debate, covering a lot of disabilities. First 25 mins or so of the programme.