New Insight into Autism

 

     A leading research group in Canada headed up by Dr. Derrick MacFabe has been able to induce autistic behavior in rats by disturbing gut bacteria. They are investigating the idea that short chain fatty acids synthesized by harmful bacteria alter gene expression and affect mitochondria where energy is produced in the cells predisposing to autism.

     Looking over this work I was reminded of the work of Karger who found that glyphosate (Roundup) killed off beneficial organisms in the digestive tract, but allowed the bacteria which produce botulism to survive.

     The World Health Organization recently classified glyphosate as a probably human carcinogen. Monsanto, the major manufacturer of the compound, immediately attacked the finding.