In search of biomarkers for autism:scientific, social and ethical challenges

TY - JOUR

T1 - In search of biomarkers for autism:scientific, social and ethical challenges

AU - Walsh, Patricia

AU - Elsabbagh, Mayada

AU - Bolton, Patrick

AU - Singh, Ilina

PY - 2011/10

Y1 - 2011/10

N2 - There is widespread hope that the discovery of valid biomarkers for autism will both reveal the causes of autism and enable earlier and more targeted methods for diagnosis and intervention. However, growing enthusiasm about recent advances in this area of autism research needs to be tempered by an awareness of the major scientific challenges and the important social and ethical concerns arising from the development of biomarkers and their clinical application. Collaborative approaches involving scientists and other stakeholders must combine the search for valid, clinically useful autism biomarkers with efforts to ensure that individuals with autism and their families are treated with respect and understanding.

AB - There is widespread hope that the discovery of valid biomarkers for autism will both reveal the causes of autism and enable earlier and more targeted methods for diagnosis and intervention. However, growing enthusiasm about recent advances in this area of autism research needs to be tempered by an awareness of the major scientific challenges and the important social and ethical concerns arising from the development of biomarkers and their clinical application. Collaborative approaches involving scientists and other stakeholders must combine the search for valid, clinically useful autism biomarkers with efforts to ensure that individuals with autism and their families are treated with respect and understanding.

U2 - 10.1038/nrn3113

DO - 10.1038/nrn3113

M3 - Article

C2 - 21931335

SN - 1471-003X

VL - 12

SP - 603

EP - 612

JO - NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE

JF - NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE

IS - 10

ER -