Is Autism Genetic?
The causes of autism are mostly unknown, but scientists have identified a specific genetic factor in 10 to 15 percent of cases. Discovering exactly which genes are responsible might lead to tests for autism as well as treatments, and on Jan. 9, researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston and the Autism Consortium announced a breakthrough:
In a study of nearly 1,500 people with autism, one percent were missing 25 genes from a section of chromosome 16. According to Dr. David Miller, one of the study’s authors, “Even though one percent doesn’t seem like a lot, compared to what we know, it’s a significant proportion of the explainable cases.” In all likelihood, genetics play an important role in autism. [source: People]
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