Study Provides Evidence That Autism Affects Functioning of Entire Brain, August 16, 2006 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Several investigators use animal models of autism whereby the parts of the brain responsible for processing social cues are destroyed surgically or chemically. Clearly, brain injury is something quite different than the effects of a condition with a strong genetic component. The absence of a thing (say that big chunk of brain) is very different than a version of that thing that works differently than the norm. Besides the inherent cruelty of these experiments, which often involve taking the baby monkey away from his or her mother, the model is a really poor fit - and we could surmise that even when we thought that autism only affected very specific areas of the brain.

And now, it seems, investigations of human children with autism reveal that the entire brain is affected. So what do we have now from the cruel monkey experiments. We have lots of data that mean nothing and hundreds of monkeys who will suffer their entire lives in cages with damaged cognitive and emotional skills that might help them process and cope with their fate. And, of course, the American Taxpayers have foot the bill for this cruel and fruitless endeavor and these monkey experiments have diverted time and human capital from human studies that are so vitally needed. Nice work.

Clinicians who work with children who have autism and those who invest their time and energy in thoughtful studies aimed at understanding the capacities and needs of these children deserve our thanks, and they deserve the financial support that is now squandered on animal models of austism.


Study Provides Evidence That Autism Affects Functioning of Entire Brain, August 16, 2006 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)