Chinese Scientists Create 'Autistic' Monkeys

[Ninja'd]

http://news.discovery.com/animals/chinese-scientists-create-autistic-monkeys-160126.htm

Scientists in China have engineered monkeys with a human autism gene and symptoms, in the hopes of unlocking a treatment for the debilitating but little-understood disorder, a study said Monday.

The “transgenic” macaques behaved similarly to humans afflicted with autism, the team wrote — making repetitive gestures, and displaying anxiety and poor social interaction.

This meant they could serve as a reliable animal model for researching the causes of, and possible cures for, autism in humans — a feat welcomed by other specialists not involved in the study.

So the team led by Zilong Qiu of the Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai, created special test tube monkeys, giving them multiple copies of the MECP2 gene thought to be linked to autism in humans.

The monkeys were borne by surrogate females, and their behaviour studied as they grew up.

Could've used a cheaper method and give them vaccines.

 

[nicbst]

Hopefully they make good progress. I hope one day they find cures for all mental diseases/syndromes, they are the worst kind.

 

[ponder]

Could've used a cheaper method and give them vaccines.

/Wipes juice from chin

 

[konfab]

Whatever you do, do not mention the ANCYL...

 

[Garson007]

Hopefully they make good progress. I hope one day they find cures for all mental diseases/syndromes, they are the worst kind.

You can't "cure" a developmental disorder, you can only treat it.

 

[Ancalagon]

You can't "cure" a developmental disorder, you can only treat it.

If its caused by genes, its not impossible that they could find a way to either alter your defective copy of the gene, or influence the way the gene is expressed in your body.

I think some gene therapies already exist, if I'm not mistaken.

But yeah, should have just vaccinated them!

 

[dj_jyno]

http://news.discovery.com/animals/chinese-scientists-create-autistic-monkeys-160126.htm





Could've used a cheaper method and give them vaccines.

Didn't even have to wait that long for the comment.

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

Whatever you do, do not mention the ANCYL...

but ... but ... patent infringement by the Chinese damnit!!!

 

[Sinbad]

Whatever you do, do not mention the ANCYL...

No, that's zika...

 

[i.got~issues]

<snip>

Could've used a cheaper method and give them vaccines.

Coffee-nose-spurt

 

[Rocket Raccoon]

The “transgenic” macaques behaved similarly to humans afflicted with autism, the team wrote — making repetitive gestures, and displaying anxiety and poor social interaction.

And posting on 4chan.

 

[Garson007]

If its caused by genes, its not impossible that they could find a way to either alter your defective copy of the gene, or influence the way the gene is expressed in your body.

I think some gene therapies already exist, if I'm not mistaken.

But yeah, should have just vaccinated them!

That's true, but once the brain is formed it is a physiological problem. Developmental disorders are all physiological in nature.

 

[Ancalagon]

That's true, but once the brain is formed it is a physiological problem. Developmental disorders are all physiological in nature.

All they need is a brain transplant then!

 

[konfab]

All they need is a brain transplant then!

Or a 9mm pill :twisted:

 

[agentrfr]

This is actually pretty awesome. IB4 animal activists "Y U DO DIS TESTZ ON TEH MONKEYZ!!!???!!!111???one!!1"

 

[Jola]

Could've used a cheaper method and give them vaccines.

Probably didn't work.

 

[Nerfherder]

This is actually pretty awesome. IB4 animal activists "Y U DO DIS TESTZ ON TEH MONKEYZ!!!???!!!111???one!!1"

The antivax vegans must be frothing in the mouth

 

[onlyme]

That's true, but once the brain is formed it is a physiological problem. Developmental disorders are all physiological in nature.

Yes, but if the Gene can be identified early enough, and an in-utero treatment can be developed, then the physiological problem can be treated and either mitigated, or completely eliminated.