“We have already seen the impact of Down Syndrome prenatal screenings and many autistic people feel they could be next.”
Opposers of the study also claim that data can be shared with both academic and commercial interests: “Given the accusations already lobbied at one of the leaders of the study – the Wellcome Sanger Institute – […] we have little hope for the data being managed correctly,” Jones said.
Meanwhile, Jasper Williams, a Deaf and autistic consultant explained: “The researchers are promoting the idea that it will improve the wellbeing of autistic people, but if anything it will be doing the opposite. You don’t research a genetic mutation unless you are planning on eradication.”
Jones and Williams’ comments are just two remarks made from autistic activists online, with many sharing their thoughts through the hashtag, #StopSpectrum10K: