AUTI$M

DID YOU
KNOW

AUTI$M disorders affect
1 in 250 Americans
- Centers for Disease Control

That’s 1 million Americans

87% of Americans
consider it to be a
serious problem

62% are aware that
AUTI$M prevalence
is on the rise

ARE
YOU

Prevalence has increased from 1 in 10,000
to 1 in 250 in 25 years
- Centers for Disease Control

In California alone, prevalence increased
273%* from 1987 to 1998
* Taking into consideration changes in diagnostics and definitions
(Centers for Disease Control)

It doubled again
in the next four years

Government continues to question this rise

It sponsors
studies
The studies
confirm
the rise

The government then finds
“flaws” in these studies

and then
continues
to question
the rise

IN THE
MEANTIME

$60 million has been spent
on AUTI$M research
related to genetics
more than on any
other type of research

$$$
$$$

WHY

GENETIC$ is
Sexy

GENETIC$ is
Kewl

GENETIC$ is
$$$$

“If you have [identified the] genes, then
you have molecules. And, if there ever
are going to be drugs that treat autism,
then the pharmaceutical companies
need a target. They need a molecule to
target. Hopefully genetics can get them
a lot closer to that.”
Genetics researcher

MATH RECAP ►
GENETIC$ + $$$$
= GENE$
= MOLECULE$
= NEW DRUG$
= $$$$ FOR DRUG COMPANIE$

HMMM.

BUT

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#1 AUTI$M rates are rising.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#1 AUTI$M rates are rising.
• AND genes are not contagious.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#1 AUTI$M rates are rising.
• AND genes are not contagious.
• SO genetics is not a likely cause of
the rise.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#2 Despite years of $$$, no gene has been
found.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#2 Despite years of $$$, no gene has been
found.
• Some scientists now say AUTI$M is
caused by multiple genes.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#2 Despite years of $$$, no gene has been
found.
• Some scientists now say AUTI$M is
caused by multiple genes.
• Some say 10 – 15% of AUTI$M
is genetic.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
One recent Boston study
found a genetic trigger
in 1% of AUTI$M cases

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#3 Twin studies are inconclusive.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#3 Twin studies are inconclusive.
• Some say that identical twins have a
36% chance of both being autistic.

THE CASE AGAINST GENETIC$
#3 Twin studies are inconclusive.
• Some say that identical twins have a
36% chance of both being autistic.
• Others say that identical twins have a
96% chance of both being autistic.

This means that anywhere from
4% to 64% of identical twin pairs
have only one kid who’s autistic

SO?

So
we aren’t likely to find
any kind of miracle gene cure
any time soon

So
we aren’t likely to find
any kind of miracle gene cure
any time soon
if ever

The
truth
is

Genetics isn’t
destiny

We’ve mapped
the whole
human
genome

and all we’ve found is
a sketch.

Genes are just
nature’s suggestions.
Genes create tendencies,
not fates.

Tendencies need
triggers

SO
RESEARCH
THAT

We can’t change
our genes

But we can change
our brains

Brains are malleable
changeable
They make new cells and
new connections
every
day

The human brain
can recreate itself
The human
brain can
recreate
itself

with the right kind of push

for a long enough time

$$$$$

Parents are reporting results from
biological treatments
nutritional supplements
special diets
detoxification
early behavioral programs
relationship development programs
neurofeedback or EEG training
sensory processing therapy

But government and $$$ researchers
call these programs
QUACKERY

and dismiss theories that autism might
be caused by environmental effects,
technology, or teratogens*
* agents that cause harm during pregnancy

or by infancy events

like vaccinations

YET

The Homeland Security Act contained a provision
shielding a small group of pharmaceutical
companies from liability for harm to children
caused by thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine
preservative. The rider was inserted just prior to
the full House vote, and few in Congress were
aware of it.

The truth is
AUTI$M isn’t genetic.
It’s biological.
So is life.

Instead of
throwing all
the research $
at genetics

Research
real-life triggers
and treatments

“If you accept the fact that the
numbers have increased, you must
seek an environmental cause.”
- Mark Blaxill, SafeMinds

Right now, parents of autistic children
are paying for their own research.
One year of behavioral therapy
costs $30,000 or more.
This does not include other costs, such as
private school tuition, occupational therapy,
vitamin therapy, and private specialists.

Isn’t the
government
helping?

In October 2002, FDA investigators and U.S.
Marshals seized hundreds of bottles of taurine
capsules from Kirkman Labs, one of the few
American labs that make vitamins for autism
treatments. The FDA said Kirkman had made
unsubstantiated claims that the product could
treat autism. This came within days of news
stories exposing the FDA’s lowest-ever rate of
taking action against drug companies for
misleading ads.
- Autism Watch; Center for Responsible Genetics

hoo boy...

PLEASE

Fund non-genetic
autism research
and help
fill in the
big picture

Fund treatments
that people find
helpful and
useful

Fund research
that studies
the whole person
...genes, body,
and world

Fund families to ease the $$$ burden

Fund research into
environmental
causes and
triggers

PLEASE NOW

PLEASE NOW

PLEASE NOW
and not decades from now

and let’s take
the $ out of
AUTISM

www.nancymucklow.com
www.mucklowedit.com 2008
Credits: all photos purchased from iStockphotos , Fotolia, and Morguefile
References: http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/naar_archive/naar_autism_poll.php
http://www.gene-watch.org/genewatch/articles/16-2herbert_silverman.html
http://www.gene-watch.org/genewatch/articles/16-1autism.pdf
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A06E3DA1738F935A15752C0A9629C8B63
http://www.autism.net.au/Downloads/Scientists%20closer%20to%20identifying%20Gene%20for%20Autism.pdf