Top Autism Expert (Part 1): Genetics & Autism is "an ethical minefield"

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of
the most influential yet controversial leading figures in Autism
research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre,
Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from
pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind
neurodiversity.


They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has
risen, and the shifting perception from ‘disorder’ to celebrating
a different way of thinking. Plus, they dive into some of the
most debated topics in autism research - The complexities of
empathy and the ethical challenges of genetic studies.


This is the First of a Two Part Episode - tune in for some
groundbreaking research next week in Part Two!


00:00 Introduction


2:08 Ben’s Child Asks Simon: 'Are You REALLY the World's Top
Autism Expert?'


2:50 Back In Time: Autism 40 years Ago


4:08 Autism Diagnoses Then vs. Now: How Children & Adults
Were Diagnosed 40 Years Ago


4:45 The Moment Autism Prevalence Began to Rise


5:21 Autism Diagnostic Criteria & Disappearance of Aspergers


10:42 The History of Autism


11:48 What Sparked Simon’s Interest in Autism?


13:44 Societies Beliefs and Understanding of Autism 40 Years Ago


15:07 Genetics and The Hidden 20%


17:05 Why Autism Isn’t 100% Genetic


17:34 Ethical Minefields: Genetics Research VS Autism


20:42 Were Scientists Trying to 'Cure' Autism 40 Years Ago?


21:57 When We Started Celebrating Autistic Strengths


23:23 Brains That Think Differently: The Birth of Neurodiversity


24:26 Autism VS Closing The Gender Gap


26:39 Brains That Systemise VS Brains That Empathise


28:32 Autism & Empathy: Cognitive Empathy VS Affective
Empathy


35:33 Do Vaccines Cause Autism?


36:37 Why Are the CDC Investigating the Correlation Between
Autism and Vaccines?


39:43 Changing The Way We See Autism: Celebrating the Differences


__________


On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent
[ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.]
creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds..
think differently.


Host: Ben Branson


Head of Production: Bella Neale


Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné


Video Editor: James Scriven


Social Media Manager: Charlie Young


Music: Jackson Greenberg


Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348


_____________________________________


Follow & subscribe…


Website: www.hidden20.org


Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity


Ben Branson @seedlip_ben


Simon Baron Cohen @sbaroncohen


If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green
dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All
proceeds go to the charity.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.