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Neanderthal theory of autism

Biblio-Love

Biblio-Love

Well-Known Member
I took an aspie quiz, which I think many of you took as well, and I scored between and 7 and 8 on all aspects except hunting (which was under 4). Hunting? What did hunting have to do with autism, I wondered. So I read a couple on-line articles about the Neanderthal theory of autism. Have any of you read extensively on this? What do you think? I think it interesting how it links autism with autoimmune diseases, cystic fibrosis, red hair and freckles, and Northern European descent, but all of this has to do with genetic mutation/ adaption. This does nothing to explain the social tendencies, or lack there of, found in autistic people. Am I missing something? Is this a creditable theory?
 
Biblio-Love said:
I took an aspie quiz, which I think many of you took as well, and I scored between and 7 and 8 on all aspects except hunting (which was under 4). Hunting? What did hunting have to do with autism, I wondered. So I read a couple on-line articles about the Neanderthal theory of autism. Have any of you read extensively on this? What do you think? I think it interesting how it links autism with autoimmune diseases, cystic fibrosis, red hair and freckles, and Northern European descent, but all of this has to do with genetic mutation/ adaption. This does nothing to explain the social tendencies, or lack there of, found in autistic people. Am I missing something? Is this a creditable theory?
Click to expand...

It's more of a hypothesis. That means an idea someone had that would explain some observations. I'm not sure how it could be tested without Neanderthal DNA for comparison. My gut feeling is that it is a little unlikely, but who knows.
 
This is something I wondered about too as did my husband. He even looks like a Neanderthal (a handsome one) straight out of a Natural Museum display. We were so curious that we sent our DNA to the National Geographics Genographic project to have out DNA mapped out. They'll be checking for both Neanderthal & Denisovan genes. We won't know until Mid April but as soon as we get results, I'll share. It would be interesting to do this for a large group of Aspies to see whether or not we have a higher more significant percentage of these genes.
 
Gosh Soup. How exciting! I've always wanted to do that, just to see what turned up. Please let us know what the results are, if you are comfortable sharing that is.
 
I'm really excited about it. It tells you all kinds of unexpected info about your remote ancestry: people find all kinds of things in there they never even thought they had. Anyone can order the kit online from the National Geographics website here: DNA Test for Ancestry from National Geographic | Genographic Project
It's expensive, but less than a pair of leather boots & less than those game consoles people buy & it gives you info you cannot possibly get elsewhere.
 
I have heard of this before. It's an interesting hypothesis (which is what most non-science people mean when they say "theory") but since we really don't know what causes autism it's hard to link it to Neanderthals (and there's a lot we don't know about them yet, either).

The difference between a hypothesis and a theory is that a hypothesis is a guess whereas a theory has more structure, it can be tested to see if it holds up. It's more like a supported explanation of how something is. A lot of people don't understand that crucial difference.
 
smith2267 said:
Yeah it has been taken seriously.
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I'm not asking if it's taken seriously. I'm asking if it's serious, e.g. do people really mean this?

I'd be very surprised if you can find many scientists/specialists who give it much credence.

Personally, I prefer Baron Cohen's theory of the extreme male brain.
 
So are scientists conducting studies/ research to determine links? Or have they already or is it mere speculation? The stuff I found on the web made it sound scientific, but we all know how reliable the web is (she says sarcastically).
 
Is no one else bothered by the implicit racism?

I wouldn't be surprised to find there are links between some of those promoting views like this and those who try to say Africans are not the same species as WASPS!
 
Divrom said:
Is no one else bothered by the implicit racism?

I wouldn't be surprised to find there are links between some of those promoting views like this and those who try to say Africans are not the same species as WASPS!
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Racism against an extinct species of human? Really? I doubt it.
Actually, the definition of species is that they can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. So if we have their genes, they were a subspecies.
From a strictly scientific standpoint, surviving humans probably should be split into subspecies as well, but the social and political harm that would cause is obvious.
 
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Divrom said:
Is no one else bothered by the implicit racism?

I wouldn't be surprised to find there are links between some of those promoting views like this and those who try to say Africans are not the same species as WASPS!
Click to expand...

Hmm? Am I missing something? They are discussing northern Europeans aren't they? White, red haired, freckled people? The evolution of a certain phenotype? How is this racist? Perhaps I am missing a nuance. I frequently do that. Can you post something longer, so I can understand your argument.
 
Biblio-Love said:
Hmm? Am I missing something? They are discussing northern Europeans aren't they? White, red haired, freckled people? The evolution of a certain phenotype? How is this racist? Perhaps I am missing a nuance. I frequently do that. Can you post something longer, so I can understand your argument.
Click to expand...

He is concerned that the notion that some of us have DNA from another species of hominid will lead to new forms of racism...I think.
You know, discrimination against those with too much neanderthal DNA
 
That had never occured to me. Autistic people already suffer prejudice. I'm not sure if finding a genetic root would make that worse or not. Because of the rising incidence of autism spectrum diseases there's been a number of studies looking at CORRELATING genetic/environmental factors with autism, but correlation isn't causation, right? This "neanderthal theory of autism", seems a bit wacko but who knows.
 
I guess there's a possibility that somewhere in a bunker some bigot would be cutting up a perfectly good white bed sheet looking to start a hate group against those who have 'too many' 'tal genes, but as they say, whattayagonnado? Those kinds of people will always be out there seeking a pretext for their pent up feelings of self-hate, hatred of others & their inferiority/superiority complex. We might as well glean the information that legitimate scientific research can provide.
 
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