Science Gene editing to end autism - Or how I learned to stop worrying and love CRISPR

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science...nificantly-reduced-breakthrough-gene-editing/

Autism traits may be “edited” out using new genetic techniques, scientists have said, following a successful trial.

Researchers are hailing a breakthrough after they used cutting-edge gene editing to to significantly reduce repetitive behaviour associated with the disorder.

The technique, which was performed on mice, could also be developed to treat conditions ranging from opioid addiction and neuropathic pain to schizophrenia and epileptic seizures.

Scientists injected gold nanoparticles covered in a “forest” of DNA chains to alter the the genetic code of mouse models with a form of autism called fragile X syndrome (FXS).

The technique, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, resulted in in a 30 per cent drop in repetitive digging, and a 70 reduction in leaping, both indicative of autistic behaviour.

Because the editing DNA was introduced attached to gold particles, the team were able to control how much of the crucial Cas9 protein was delivered, in contrast to previous failed attempts using viruses.

"There are no treatments or cures for autism yet, and many of the clinical trials of small-molecule treatments targeting proteins that cause autism have failed," said study leader Hye Young Lee, an assistant professor of cellular and integrative physiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.


"This is the first case where we were able to edit a causal gene for autism in the brain and show rescue of the behavioral symptoms."


Autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental disorder, with a strong genetic component, which manifests during childhood.

It is characterised by deficits in the domain of social interaction and communication, stereotyped behaviour, delayed speech and language and can also be associated with intellectual disability.

There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK - more than one in 100 - and when including families, it is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.

The results are published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

 

[TowinKarz]

They despise GMO disease-resistant crops, imagine what they'll do to GMO disease-resistant people.

 

[Dysnomia]

The National Autistic Society will fucking lose their shit at this, the Autistic Community is getting bigger and more funding as more people get diagnosed as "autistic" (even through I guess some are wrong and probably are schizoid or have a personality disorder)

I really do think the huge surge of autism is over represented. Plus everyone wants to be autistic now. At least on the internet. A lot of those internet auties are just teens self diagnosing for attention. But it's selfish to tell other people they can't be cured because "muh neurodivergent culture". And extremely cruel to tell parents who just want to help their children that they are horrible human beings for wanting a cure for autism.

And if someday they can cure autism what will the anti-vaxxers do?

 

[Alec Benson Leary]

Every time I hear news about genetic engineering, it reminds me of when genetic scientists accidentally discovered that there is a switch you can flip on fruit flies to make them grow legs where their eyes should be or the other way around.

 

[LegoTugboat]

Every time I hear news about genetic engineering, it reminds me of when genetic scientists accidentally discovered that there is a switch you can flip on fruit flies to make them grow legs where their eyes should be or the other way around.

I'm genuinely scared if they make glow in the dark women a thing, considering that's 3 creatures that have been modified.

(There's also glow in the dark cats, if you want to call one Chernobyl.)

 

[Alec Benson Leary]

I'm genuinely scared if they make glow in the dark women a thing, considering that's 3 creatures that have been modified.

The whole woman might be too much, but maybe glow in the dark boobs would be cool.

Or if I could have a glow in the dark penis. Not only would I have a party trick to break the ice at parties, but when I need to piss in the middle of the night I'd never need a night light again.

 

[vhstape]

But my autism is my power

 

[RG 448]

Wait, it's called CRISR, and its purpose is to end all autistic people? Where have I heard that before?

Spoiler

“Gimme your fuckin tendies, denny!”

 

[LegoTugboat]

The whole woman might be too much, but maybe glow in the dark boobs would be cool.

Or if I could have a glow in the dark penis. Not only would I have a party trick to break the ice at parties, but when I need to piss in the middle of the night I'd never need a night light again.

Plus you could do lightsaber noises when you swing it around.

 

[Alec Benson Leary]

In all seriousness, a cure for autism would be a tremendous good for many children and their families and I would gladly trade my PS3 for it.

 

[Syaoran Li]

I welcome a cure for autism.

It could do a lot of good for a lot of people, such as families with autistic children. Especially those with severe autism.

 

[Oh Long Johnson]

They despise GMO disease-resistant crops, imagine what they'll do to GMO disease-resistant people.

Or when they name one of the treatments Nig-B-Gone.

 

[Muttnik]

I honestly don't know why the Autism Community goes so apeshit whenever a cure is mentioned. I understand the need to not demonize legit autistic people for stuff they can't control but are you seriously telling me you'd rather watch little Timmy shit his pants while he watches Paw Patrol all day at thirty years old?

 

[Zbk3VmLfujjzjxBd43tL]

I wonder what would happen if you used this to cure a severely autistic person, someone who does nothing but shit their pants and go into fits of tard rage all day? Would they just suddenly "wake up" from it like it was a nightmare?

I just wonder what these Anti-Vaxxers are going to do when there's going to be an anti-autism "vaccine".

A lot of "find a cure" advocates for autism tend to be anti-vaxxers sadly. It must be heartbreaking to learn the most "normal" your child will ever be is someone like Chris-chan.

I honestly don't know why the Autism Community goes so apeshit whenever a cure is mentioned. I understand the need to not demonize legit autistic people for stuff they can't control but are you seriously telling me you'd rather watch little Timmy shit his pants while he watches Paw Patrol all day at thirty years old?

You know damn well why:

Spoiler

:autism::autism::autism::autism::autism:

 

[Nuthatch]

So, this could eliminate the genetic cause of autism, if we could pinpoint it anyway.

But what about autism that spontaneously occurs from severe abuse and neglect? Would getting rid of genetic predispositions elimate this form of autism?

 

[Your Weird Fetish]

Can this be used in adults? We could use less autism in the world as whole.

Probably not. The genetic roots of autism probably fuck up the brain at specific developmental milestones that once missed can't be fixed with simple gene editing. Science journalists are always hyberbolic and over optimistic.

 

[CreamyHerman’s]

But what about autism that spontaneously occurs from severe abuse and neglect

Autism is genetic. One does not simply acquire it.

 

[Tlazolli]

Autism is genetic. One does not simply acquire it.

Thank god, imagine how many more lolcows there'd be if it did.

 

[Nuthatch]

Autism is genetic. One does not simply acquire it.

Yes, I'm aware. I think my comment wasn't very clear--so I probably deserved the dumb rating there. I was thinking more along the lines of this study and this one. The last one is behind a paywall but it does still confirm the genetic basis of autism. Since autism has a high mis-diagnosis rate there's a lot of conditions that mimic "autistic traits" and severe abuse can cause a child to act as if they're autistic, but they're not.

What i was trying to get across is that there are several mental conditions that can mimic autistic symptoms so we'd have to eliminate genes outside of the ones that are associated with autism. If we could do more research on schizophrenia, I don't think many would be opposed to eliminating those genes either.

 

[Corbin Dallas Multipass]

Autism is like ADD back in the 90s. It's a thing, but the symptoms are vague enough that anyone can make them fit themselves. Plus it gives an excuse for doing poorly in school.

I mean, is there anyone who can look at the list of autism symptoms and not find a thing or two that fits? And if you're desperate to be special somehow, then why not diagnose yourself with aspergers? Before, you were an annoying asshole, now you've got a disability you can demand people pander to.

 

[MarvinTheParanoidAndroid]

"muh neurodivergent culture"

The thing about autism that makes it cure-worthy is that it limits your intelligence. It's not just a "different way" of thinking, it's an inhibited form of thinking.

Just imagine the sort of super-human powers we could gain from CRISPR. Imagine living way longer, being more athletic, smarter, ect. I'd take CRISPR treatments in a heartbeat if they were perfected.