A recent twin study (NYT.com) claims that only 40% of what the researchers considered "autism" was clearly genetic. Previous studies estimated a 90% rate. The greater causes was something occurring prior to birth.The researchers further claimed that most (about 58%) of the environmental causes were shared.
These are remarkable claims, and they will require remarkable evidence. I am very skeptical.
If there is a common intrauterine cause of brain injury, however, we do need to look again at obstetric ultrasound.
See also:
- Be the Best You can Be: Ultrasound, neuronal migration, and autism (8/2006)
- Gordon's Notes: General weirdness on the net: ultrasound, autism and satire (An essay was published in 2006 on ultrasound, school violence, and autism. It was a satire.)
- Gordon's Notes: Ultrasound and the developing brain – lessons from manipulation of mouse neuron (1/2009)
