Genetics vs. Environment

Although there likely is a genetic pre-disposition to autism, it seems that the environment plays a very important, and possibly critical role - maybe even the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. Because so much research has focused on genetic links, we may be missing the myriad of toxins to which children with autism are exposed and the harm they cause. With this in mind, I was very excited to see the recent release from the UC Davis MIND Institute talking about shifting the direction of research from the study of genes to environmental causes, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/134717.php. The bad news: the numbers of children receiving the diagnosis continues to rise, not to be explained away by better diagnosis or how they are counted.