Could the Neanderthal DNA – Autism link be exploited by eugenicists?
By Helen Said, Autistic advocate, Melbourne, Australia In a political climate where conspiracy theorists rule in the USA, and Autism is being investigated by anti-vaxxers, should we reject or welcome a newly discovered Autism-Neanderthal link? In July 2024, scientists from Clemson and Loyola Universities released a study linking rare variants of Neanderthal DNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced snips ) to Autism. Almost all modern humans carry approximately 2% of Neanderthal DNA, caused by interbreeding, many thousands of years ago, between different human ancestors, homo sapiens , our direct ancestors and homo neanderthalensis , a similar but extinct subspecies of humans. The Clemson and Loyola scientists discovered that, while Autistics didn’t necessarily possess more Neanderthal DNA overall, we do have more of the rare SNPs which are associated with various typically Autistic strengths and social behaviours, as well as some common co-occurring conditions. F...