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Could Assortative Mating Explain Autism?

Posted by samzenpus on from the and-nerd-begot-nerd dept.

clm1970 writes "Researcher Simon Baron-Cohen has put forth the theory that 'how we mate and marry' could explain the increase in rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders, particularly Asperger's. When two technically minded people marry and have children, so the provocative theory goes, they are more apt to produce a child who crosses the line into mild autism."

7 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Publicity whore for a "scientist" by x_IamSpartacus_x · · Score: 5, Interesting
    FTFA

    The theory of "assortative mating" was first put forth by neuroscientist Simon Baron-Cohen, a leading autism researcher and something of a rock star in the field. He's the first cousin of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, and like his cousin, his prolific work tends toward the out-of-the-box. Combine that with his outspokenness — uncommon for a scientist — and it's clear why at a recent international conference in San Diego, he was "frequently mobbed by fellow attendees and treated with near universal adulation," Warner writes.

    I don't have proof but this guy looks and sounds like he's just putting for a controversial theory to be controversial and get his name in the papers. I wouldn't give much credit here.

    1. Re:Publicity whore for a "scientist" by TobiasTheCommie · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Simon Baron-Cohen has made many a theory on the etiology of Autism. And all of them have fallen by the way side.

      I don't understand why he is regarded as a scientist since he keep coming out with these stupid ideas.

      A few years ago it was a "Too neanderthal brain". Then a few years later it was "Too much male hormone in the uterus". And now it is is this. *sigh*

      He comes up with one idea, and once that is shown to be false, he just throws a new one out there.

      As a professional in this area. And as someone with autism. I totally disregard anything and everything he has to say.

      --
      Tobias Ussing http://www.nearby.dk
  2. So by Stargoat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So we should cause cheerleaders to date nerds, and football players fangirls? Maybe no one who can name all eleven doctors should be allowed to marry at all, but rather should be put full time to impregnating Olympic athletes?

    I like the idea that Aspergers is associated directly with intelligence. I also like the whorish way that the paper's author plays with the concept of eugenics to get more hits.

    I also like the way that the author tries to ignore environmental conditions such as increased urbanization and subsequent hyper-socialization.

    --
    Hoist Number One and Number Six.
  3. Old news - Wired already has discussed this by Insightfill · · Score: 5, Informative
    This has been SO covered before.

    Does TFA add anything new?

  4. Diagnosis Criteria by Blue+Stone · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Increasing rates in Autism are due to the ever expanding classification system of the DSM. Behaviour that was previously not included in the 'diagnosis' (qualifications, if you prefer) are now included.

    You could read Jon Ronson's Psychopath Test for a small insight into the way the people behind the categorisation process simply make shit up and grow the criteria for inclusion to a category like they're pulling rabbits out of a hat stuffed with millions of rabbits.

    --
    Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
  5. Re:but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That's only true during high school and college, strangely enough when the 6 digit salary starts rolling in your average geeks attractiveness coefficient increases by 2 orders of magnitude.....

    Obviously I'm not suggesting correlation implies causation but never the less.

  6. Re:well... by publiclurker · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is that what the kids are calling it these days?