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May 16th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda WEDNESDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) — Researchers report that a
new DNA test may be able to spot an increased risk of autism in children
as young as 6 months old.
The genetic screen, called ARISk, is designed for babies and toddlers
who have a sibling with autism, a developmental disorder characterized by
impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. The new test found
57 key gene variations that were associated with the condition in more
than 1,000 families.
“This is the first time such a huge study has been performed on
individuals with autism, discovering what other studies statistically
could not detect,” explained study author Dr. Francois Liebaert, vice
president of research and development at IntegraGen SA, the French company
that developed the test. The research team looked at a wider combination
of gene variations than previous research has, he noted.
Liebaert pointed out that autism is considered “genetically
complicated” because there is no single chromosome or gene that is
responsible for the development of the disease.
In theory, the test could help speed up assessment and intervention for
at-risk siblings, and potentially improve long-term outcomes. However, not
all autism experts are convinced that the test results are reliable enough
to form the basis for treatment decisions.
Studies have shown a strong genetic basis for autism. Siblings of
children with autism are believed to be at greater risk; in the study, boy
siblings had a 26 percent greater risk while girl siblings had a 10
percent greater risk of developing some form of the disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one
child in 88 is diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome or a related
autism spectrum disorder by the age of 8.
The research behind the development of the screening test was to be
presented Wednesday during a news conference at the International Meeting
for Autism Research in Toronto. The study involved about 1,100 families
with more than one child diagnosed with some form of autism, including
nearly 2,000 siblings with autism and 600 siblings who did not show signs
of the disorder.
Children found to be at greater risk would be referred to an autism
specialist for further evaluation and behavioral intervention. Those at
lower risk would still be monitored for signs of the disease.
Dr. Andrew Adesman, head of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, in New
Hyde Park, said he has concerns about the value of the test: “Families
looking for potential insight may get falsely worrisome or falsely
reassuring information,” he said.
Adesman noted that data from the study showed a significant number of
children testing positive for autism will end up not having the disorder,
and a significant number of children with a non-worrisome test will also
end up having the disorder.
Clinical assessment will be necessary, no matter how the test turns
out, he added. “If a child clinically looks good but has a bad test, all
you’d do is watch the child more closely anyway,” he said.
ARisk is only available through physicians. DNA samples are collected
with a cheek swab and sent to a lab. The results are returned to the
doctor two to four weeks later.
Because the test involves swabbing a cheek, it would not be possible to
use this technology before birth to determine whether a fetus has a higher
risk of autism, Liebaert noted.
The list price of the test is $2,900, but parents may pay less
depending on their insurance coverage. IntegraGen has a program to provide
the test to those with no insurance or with limited resources, said Larry
Yost, the firm’s general manager.
Liebaert is conducting research now to determine how this genetic
assessment might apply to children who don’t have a sibling with autism.
The test might be used, for example, if symptoms of autism were suspected.
He said he expects to compile early results later this year.
Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and
conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a
peer-reviewed journal.
More information
Go to the National Autism Association for more on autism.
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