Autism Legislative Package clears Assembly

The cause of Autism (0.00 / 0)

The information in that release may predate the latest study that found the actual genes related to autism.  Currently we know that there are a group of genes located on two chromsomes in particular that code for neurotransmitter synapses and receptors.  This information came out just in the past few weeks.  See my diary on the latest study. 
This couldn't have come about at a more critical time.  At least now we have a way to go forward with any research.  The genes code for glutamate transmission in the nervous system and so we should possibly screen infants for the genes for autism and also come up with a plan for treating them from day one - since the brain becomes hard-wired before the age of 6.  In PKU the children receive a special diet till the age of 7.  We may need to do this with children with the genes for autism as well.  Since, as in PKU, foods are the what supply the amino acids involved, foods will (and have been reported to) affect children with autism as well. 
At least we have a road map to follow now.  Thank you to the Assembly for seeing the need for this.

The children and parents of NJ deserve our support on this too.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Thu Mar 15, 2007 at 20:59:13 PM CDT

One more thought (0.00 / 0)

I have come across a scientific paper regarding why vaccines may be involved in autism by a retired neurosurgeon.  He states that the inflammation caused by any vaccine - which is expected - may be too much in a child receiving many vaccines at once - or a military person about to go oversees and getting vaccinated.  Currently, the actual number of vaccines has grown much more than it used to be.  I find this theory both troubling and hopeful.  This means that in children who have the genes that predispose them to autism, the current way we vaccinate our kids - with many shots all at once, may be harmful simply because it overloads the system - like those unfortunate folks in the UK last year in that drug trial gone awry - it was the inflammation of an immune system in overdrive that caused the test subjects to become seriously injured.  I am hopeful, because it may simply mean that if we adequately space the shots out and give time for the children to recover from a vaccine before giving them more, we may help prevent brain damage in children with the genes for autism.  At the same time, now that we actually KNOW these children have trouble with glutamate, we can get the aspartame and free glutamic acid out of their food, meds, and vaccines. 

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Thu Mar 15, 2007 at 21:16:19 PM CDT

Top Priority (0.00 / 0)

Kudos to Assemblyman McKeon and all other legislators committed to doing more on this extremely important issue.  Autism is of epidemic proportions -- one in every 94 New Jerseyans -- and it should be a top priority of any and all elected officials.

In that context, it warrants noting again that Scott Garrett was the only New Jersey Congressman -- Republican or Democrat -- not to support the federal Combatting Autism Act, a landmark piece of legislation that sought to commit serious money (about $1 billion) to the issue and to mandate early screenings of all children.

-- Paul

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by: Paul Aronsohn @ Thu Mar 15, 2007 at 21:35:32 PM CDT

Technically not right (0.00 / 0)

Agree with the first paragraph, but the second needs some clarification.  If you're talking co-sponsorship, Rodney didn't make it either.  Since it was passed as amended by voice vote, it's tough to pin down how they would have voted.  This served as Santorum's swan song so it's really tough to say how it would have gone. 

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by: rmfretz @ Thu Mar 15, 2007 at 23:51:24 PM CDT

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Technically...Right (0.00 / 0)

Matthew -- Ask folks in the Autism community and read the Bergen Record's series on the issue from last year, Garrett was the only NJ member not willing to support the legislation.  In fact, during a forum last fall, when asked about his lack of support for the legislation, Garrett justified his position by claiming to support other measures instead.

-- Paul

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by: Paul Aronsohn @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 07:41:19 AM CDT

a pattern (0.00 / 0)

It's become clear for this south jersey boy that the one member of the NJ delegation who's consistantly on the wrong side of everything it's scott garrett up in north jersey. the notion was punctuated when i looked at all the NJ Reps' ratings on animal rights.  a totally random topic, mind you.  except for garrett the other members rated between 85-100%.  Scott's score was in the TEENS! (These scores were given by the humane society based on each member's support of legislation that reduces harm to animals.)

then there's scott whose showing is so dramatically different than his NJ colleagues.  even his fellows in the GOP.

I am not giving guys like saxton or ferguson a pass but Garrett stands out emphatically as the one Congressman whose values and positions put him completely on the opposite end of the continuum from the rest of us here in the progressive netroots. 

In short, Scott Garrett is a bizarro world Jay Lassiter.

I invite others to share examples they might know of where Garrett's stands out like a sorethumb from his NJ congressional colleagues in addition to Autism research (as noted on this post) and animal rights.

(note to Paul A: Even in south jersey we recognize the importance of "flipping" this seat. If you play it to win it (again) in '08, many outside your district are ready to help.  Presumably the race you ran last time provided you with some invaluable lessons to make another go.)

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 09:50:36 AM CDT

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Paul's site (0.00 / 0)

He has a pretty good breakout you can check out, none of it provides the vote numbers, but the last time I checked it was right.

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by: rmfretz @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 10:07:52 AM CDT

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For more info... (0.00 / 0)

Jay,

Thanks very much for your comments.

Regarding more information on Garrett's record, as Matthew noted, I've compiled an easy-to-use list of some (certainly not all) of his extreme positions.  It's on my site -- www.paularonsohn.com -- in the section entitled, "Why we need change in the 5th district" and under the ridiculous picture of Garrett impersonating a DEA agent.

Incidentally, on the subject of animal rights, Garrett was the only NJ member -- Republican or Democrat -- to vote against the Pet Evacuation Act last year -- an important piece of legislation that has very real implications for pets and for the owners who refuse to abandom them in times of crisis.

Thanks again,

Paul

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by: Paul Aronsohn @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 11:41:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

HTML, people, HTML (0.00 / 0)

PaulAronsohn.com

Ah, behold the power of the almighty hyperlink.

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by: Scott Shields @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 11:50:02 AM CDT

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Split the difference (0.00 / 0)

Paul,

Checked the Record, he didn't take a position in the pieces they had (1,2), so you're right that he didn't vocalize support.  That said, on this particular act, because of the way it was passed he can claim support, and we both know he will, because of the voice vote since there was no dissension. 

I'm not saying he's a friend of the Autistic community, I thought I did a pretty good job of laying that out in my Defending the Defenseless piece.  Anybody can go after him over Autism, but avoiding this piece of legislation lends credibility to the argument.  He has plenty of other votes to use. 

Regards,
Matt

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by: rmfretz @ Fri Mar 16, 2007 at 10:01:16 AM CDT

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