Today’s meeting of the Human Genetics Commission consultative panel was both informative and reassuring. Informative because some of the leading professionals gave of their time to brief us on three issues – screening children for genetic disorders, pre-conception genetic screening and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. It was reasssuring because the Panel showed a good grasp of the issues and was very much aware of the ethical dilemmas that can arise and the need for guidelines. The HGC is keen to hear those concerns and see that they are included in representations to government agencies and law makers.
All this relates to autism indirectly but is beneficial because it suggests a favourable ethical climate in which to discuss future advances in genetic reserch into autism. Interestingly, one of the experts, who is closely involved in genetic testing did not believe we were going to see a genetic test for autism any time soon, if at all.
My only regret is that the nuanced discussion of complex moral issues that surround the daily advances in genetic science and medical technology are not reflected in media reports of this important topic – as Simon Baron-Cohen recently found to his cost and ours when he tried to initiate a public discussion of the issues.
Edit – I also regret the typos (now corrected) in my initial posting from Euston Station.
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