1. Abstract Introduction Autism is a difference and should be respected. Dr. Temple Grandin, a woman with autism, writes “…if the genes that caused these conditions were eliminated, there might be a terrible price to pay. It is possible that persons with bits of these traits are more creative or possibly even geniuses.” (7) Groups such as Autism Assembly and Aspies For Freedom have an anti-cure perspective, and are advocating for respect for what they call neurodiversity. Aspies For Freedom’s website states “We view autism, not necessarily as a disability, or something that is negative for everyone on the autistic spectrum, but as part of who the individual is. We know that autism is not a disease, and we oppose any attempts to “cure” someone of an autism spectrum condition such as Asperger’s Syndrome or any attempts to make them “normal” against their will. (8) Such groups have organized to try to prevent gene therapy research geared toward eliminating autism. They have proclaimed June 18 as Autistic Pride Day around the world, and are advocating for an autistic culture. 1. Dermer A. Breastfeeding and Women’s Health. Journal of Women’s Health. 1998 May. Vol. 7, Number 4: 427-433. 2. Edozien L. The Contraceptive Benefit of Breastfeeding. Africa Health. 1994 Sep. Vol. 16, Number 6: 15,17. 3. Nkanginieme KE. Breastfeeding: an appeal. African Health. 1993 Mar;15(3):20.Nkanginieme KE 4. Taylor JS,Taylor JS Risica PMRisica PM, Cabral HJ. Why primiparous mothers do not breastfeed in theCabral HJ United States: a national survey. Acta Paediatr. 2003 Nov;92(11):1308-13. 5. Heuch I, Jacobsen BK, Kvale G. Breast Cancer and Breastfeeding. Lancet. 2002Heuch IJacobsen BKKvale G July 20. 360: 187-95. 6. Brock KE et al. Sexual, reproductive and contraceptive risk factors for carcinoma-in -situ of the uterine cervix in Sydney. Med J Aust. 1989 Feb 6;150(3):125-30. 7. Siskind V, Green A, Bain C, Purdie D. Breastfeeding, menopause, and epithelialSiskind VGreen ABain CPurdie D ovarian cancer. Epidemiology. 1997 Mar;8(2):188-91.. : Every year, more children and adults in the United States are being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their range of abilities is huge, from those who cannot communicate, to highly intelligent and gifted individuals. The expense of educating and caring for people with autism grows each year. Given that genetic engineering may soon be able to find and alter the genes that cause autism, should we eliminate the condition? Should we attempt to “cure” autism, or is it a condition that can confer benefits on individuals and society? Looking deeply into both sides of this debate, we may be able to find a middle way that relieves profound human suffering, yet still protects the rights and abilities of those who honor their own places on the Autism Spectrum. Issues Autism is a disease and should be eliminated. Groups such as Cure Autism Now are actively seeking increased government funding for research into genetic modification to eliminate autism. Some progress is being made in this direction. Dr. Joseph Buxbaum recently said, “I think within ten years we’ll have found the genes of major affect and most of the genes of minor affect. That will then lead to reasonable targets for drug interventions.” (6) Eliza Freeman Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin Autism is a brain disorder that begins in early childhood and persists throughout adulthood. It affects three crucial areas of development: communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play. People with Autism Spectrum Disorders range from the severely handicapped, without language or the possibility of independent lives, to highly functioning individuals, such as those with Asperger’s Syndrome, who can be extremely intelligent and uniquely gifted in areas such as music, mathematics, or science. According to the Autism Society of America, the rate of the incidence of autism is increasing 10 – 17 % per year in the U.S. Boys are four times more likely than girls to be affected. From 10 – 20 out of every 10,000 people have autism.(1) Given that ASD is thought to have a large genetic component, it may be possible to eliminate it in the near future by gene therapy. Some groups, such as Cure Autism Now, are interested in funding research to eliminate ASD. Other groups, such as Autism Assembly, oppose any attempts to “cure” individuals with ASD or to make them “normal” against their will. Both groups seek to educate the general public about ASD, and both groups want the best possible lives for those affected by autism. Can these groups, and others like them, find common ground while still honoring their own beliefs? Autism was first observed and defined by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943. (2) As the condition began to be studied and observed, the incidence of children being diagnosed with autism naturally rose. From 1 in 10,000 children, the incidence has recently exploded to 1 in every 166! (3) No one is quite sure how to explain the huge increase. Better diagnoses and less negative prejudice toward the condition explain at least some of the increase, but many researchers are still looking for an explanation. News media are referring to the incidence of autism as an epidemic. A U.S. government website calls autism “a devastating scourge.” (4) One expert has claimed that “autism is worse than September 11 and AIDS combined.” (5) Some people feel that autism is worse than cancer because people with autism have normal life spans – their disease does not eliminate them early from the population. Families with severely autistic children struggle daily with quality of life issues. Early intervention with an autistic child can sometimes help with social interactions, but at this time there is no treatment and no cure. People rumored to have had autism include Mozart, Isaac Newton, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and Steven Spielberg. About ten per cent of autistics have extraordinary abilities. They are known as savants, and have been portrayed in popular movies such as “Rainman.”. Making Peace The first essential step is to stop using inflammatory rhetoric. No one wants to hear her child referred to as having “mad child disease.” It is no wonder that some people with Asperger’s Syndrome are deeply offended by hearing that they should be eliminated. Their pleas for “neurodiversity” are heart-felt. People on both sides of this debate want to relieve the suffering of those afflicted with the most debilitating forms of autism. Both sides agree that much more research should be done into discovering the causes of autism. We as a nation need to have a conversation, not a shouting match, about how gene therapy can be used to relieve suffering, instead of being used by the wealthy to extend their privileges. Every autism research team should include at least one person on the autism spectrum. The population of highly intelligent autistics could contribute great insight into the research into autism and its causes.. References 1. www.autism-society.org, accessed Feb. 6, 20www.autism-society.org 2.The World of the Autistic Child, Bryna Siegel, Oxford Univ. Press, New York, 1996, p. 13 3.www.autism-society.org, accessed Feb. 7, 2006www.autism-society.org 4.http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=wsj:2004:04:24:370080:OPINION, Morton Ann Gernsbacher, accessed Feb. 8, 2006 5. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6844737/, accessed Feb.6, 2006http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6844737/ 6.ibid., Dr. Joseph Buxbaum 7.Autism, Elaine Landau, Franklin Watts, New York, 2001, p. 82 8.www.aspiesforfreedom.com, accessed Feb. 5, 20www.aspiesforfreedom.com Eliza Freeman Beloit College, Beloit, WI