Scientists have raised hopes for a cheap and simple test for autism after discovering consistent differences between the microbes found in the guts of autistic
  • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
    27·
    5 months ago

    Human: I’m the only intelligent being! I’m the crown of creation!

    Gut microbes: Haha. Good one. Now dance for us!

    • carbon_based@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      4 months ago

      LOL I failed to recognise at first that it could also be interpreted as bacteria causing autism. It could also be that because of a characteristic genetic programming, intestine cells produce a compound which specific microorganisms thrive in. In such a case, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone also found such microbial indicators in saliva or on the skin.

  • Aggravationstation@feddit.uk
    152·
    5 months ago

    OK, so I laughed pretty hard when I heard about Jenny McCarthy changing her son’s diet when he was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old because I thought it was completely ridiculous https://people.com/celebrity/jenny-mccarthy-opens-up-about-her-son-with-autism/

    That, along with her anti-vax stance, made me think she was totally nuts.

    Whilst I still think she was likely wrong, I have a new understanding of her. It looks like the information on the gut biome that she may have encountered was possibly based on legitimate research. Also, whilst the MMR vaccine and autism link has now been thoroughly debunked, it was originally published in the Lancet which is a legitimate medical journal.

    Given both of those factors and the shock and panic that an autism diagnosis may have inspired in a new mother, I can now totally sympathise with her actions.

  • PenisWenisGenius@lemmynsfw.com
    131·
    5 months ago

    If employers some day are ever going to use this to require you to poop in a cup to prove you’re a neurotypical in order to secure employment, I’m fucking done.

    It’s only the next step. Nonpsychoactive thc metabolite drug tests are so normalized almost no one irl even sees an issue with it even after decades of reform. Why not keep going.

    • AlpacaChariot@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      5 months ago

      I understand the anxiety but realistically don’t think you need to worry - autism would be a protected characteristic under most legal systems, right? You don’t choose to have autism so it’s not like drug use where there’s at least some degree of choice involved.

  • BeaverOPEnglish
    4·
    5 months ago

    I wonder how much of an effect the diet could have