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. For example, it is thought that our enhanced visuospatial abilities and social behaviours are reminiscent of the Neanderthals’ sophisticated tool making abilities and smaller social units, and that Autistics have directly inherited these attributes through these rare Neanderthal SNPs.

Any genetic basis for Autism traits should be welcomed. The genetic origins of our differences highlight the fact that we are meant to be and do not need a cure. In fact, these traits survive because many of them have been beneficial for the human species. On the other hand, the fact that some of our traits are inherited from homo neanderthalensis could open up Autistics to jibes and pseudo-science, linking us to a more primitive species. In fact, homo neanderthalensis were quite sophisticated in their day, compared to ancient homo sapiens, but it is worrying that the USA currently has a Health Secretary who cherry-picks facts from research papers.

Health Secretary RFK Jnr has infamously stereotyped Autistics as being incapable of paying taxes, going on dates, using the toilet unassisted or writing poems, and has promised to find the cause of Autism by September (which, at the time of writing, is two months away). While RFK Jnr has already decided that vaccines cause Autism, he is coming under intense pressure by the medical industry, and the American public, to change his stance on vaccines. A number of preventable diseases eg measles are on the rise in the US. RFK Jnr is currently being sued for attempting to stop pregnant women being vaccinated against covid to protect their unborn babies.

If RFK Jnr is unable to make his vaccine-Autism conspiracy theory stick, he may well latch onto a distorted interpretation of the Neanderthal DNA-Autism connection, as he has promised to discover the cause of Autism by September. RFK Jnr is an appointee of the increasingly fascist Trump administration. Donald Trump has already blamed “bad genes” for the alleged crimes of some immigrants, language reminiscent of Nazi eugenicist rhetoric about minority racial and religious groups and disabilities. Trump’s masked ICE goons are rounding up anyone suspected of looking like an undocumented migrant and he has built a Nazi-style prison camp, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Personally, I welcome the discovery that Autistics possess some rare ancient Neanderthal DNA. All human beings have inherited the DNA of our ancient, less technologically sophisticated ancestors, and Autistics do not have more Neanderthal DNA, overall, than non-Autistics. Our Autistic strengths, challenges and differences make us unique and give us the potential to make amazing contributions to this planet. But I am aware of the cult-like influence of Trump and his supporters, their hysteria about “bad genes”, their willingness to cut funding for disability and their gleeful mocking of all disadvantaged minorities. I am aware of chilling comparisons between Trump’s America and the fascist movement of last century. It’s not time for Autistics to retreat into fear about RFK Jnr and Trumpism. It’s time for us to be seen and heard and help build a better tomorrow.

 

Illustration:

“The Eugenics Tree” was created for the Second International Congress of Eugenics (September 25-27, 1921), held at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. 

Sources:

Pauly, R., Johnson, L., Feltus, F.A. et al. Enrichment of a subset of Neanderthal polymorphisms in autistic probands and siblings. Mol Psychiatry 29, 3452–3461 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02593-7

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02593-7#citeas

 

Scientists link autism to Neanderthal DNA found in modern humans

By Eric Ralls Earth.com staff writer

https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-link-autism-to-neanderthal-dna-genetic-variants-found-in-modern-humans/

 


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