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Article at Ars Technica
The title isn't the whole story, of course.
Three separate reports on autism and genetics have been published, with all three pointing to a number of specific genetic differences that result in autism. Many of these are similar to those found in those suffering for mental disorders and were to be expected. There are also a estimated to be quite a large number and wide range of genes that play a role, with looses estimates of over 100 (approximately 4%) of our genes having some effect.
One of the things that was found was the spontaneous mutation was more common in children of older fathers, and thus, as men live longer and become parents later in life, the likelihood that their children will be affected by autism increases. There is no comment regarding older mothers, so it's possible that age of motherhood might not contribute to this particular condition.
^-.-^
The title isn't the whole story, of course.
Three separate reports on autism and genetics have been published, with all three pointing to a number of specific genetic differences that result in autism. Many of these are similar to those found in those suffering for mental disorders and were to be expected. There are also a estimated to be quite a large number and wide range of genes that play a role, with looses estimates of over 100 (approximately 4%) of our genes having some effect.
One of the things that was found was the spontaneous mutation was more common in children of older fathers, and thus, as men live longer and become parents later in life, the likelihood that their children will be affected by autism increases. There is no comment regarding older mothers, so it's possible that age of motherhood might not contribute to this particular condition.
^-.-^
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