What are autistic people's concerns about genetic research?

Autistic people often worry that genetic research might lead to "fixing" them, like changing a favorite toy instead of learning how to play with it.

Imagine you love your blue dinosaur. It's your favorite toy, you take it everywhere, and it helps you feel calm. Now imagine scientists say they can change the color or shape of your dinosaur so it becomes a red dragon. You might not want that, because your blue dinosaur is special to you. That’s how some autistic people feel about genetic research, it feels like someone might try to change them instead of helping them be who they are.

Autistic people see themselves as having different pieces in the big puzzle of life. Some pieces help them think, or notice patterns, or feel comfort in routine. Genetic research could mean looking at those pieces closely, sometimes to understand them better, but sometimes it might feel like trying to take away a piece that makes everything fit just right.

Some people are okay with that. Others worry that if scientists focus too much on changing things, they might miss the beauty of how each person’s puzzle is unique.