Page 16 - Ulpan-Or E-Tone 11.10.16 Advanced Level

E-Tone™: Ulpan-Or Weekly News Digest

Item #3 (Advanced Level)

A Test to Diagnose Autism

The news coming out of the research labs of the Ben Gurion University of
the Negev today focuses on one of the greatest concerns for pregnant
women - having an autistic child. The Israeli researchers from the Negev
were able to find similar genetic characteristics in the six hundred and fifty
genes that cause autism. Completing this scientific puzzle might lead to a
breakthrough that would enable an early diagnosis of autism in pregnancy
tests. At present there are many syndromes that can be diagnosed in
pregnancy tests, like genetic tests and an amniotic fluid test, mainly for the
early diagnosis of Down syndrome. Many parents prefer to have an
abortion when tests reveal that there really is a problem. “This research is a
breakthrough for parents who have an autistic child, and are seriously
debating over having another child.” If this Israeli research ends
successfully, it may even be possible to develop a pregnancy test for the
early diagnosis of autism within five years. Hagit Ron-Rabinovich, mother
of Ilay, a nineteen year old low-functioning autistic person who requires
twenty-four hour observation, was excited to hear about the new research
today. “This study has both locating, an explanation what this disability is
and what causes it, and mostly for me - hope. He might still call me ‘mom’
yet.”

Page 16 - Edition 10-11-16

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