Simon Baron Cohen: "Don't be silly Autistic folk we wont ever use your DNA to try and find a cure or in some hideous eugenics programme, that's just you being paranoid!" Also Simon Baron Cohen:

  On this day in 1984, my favourite author , Cassidy's namesake (and my height twin) Truman Capote died in Los Angeles, CA. Let's celebrate with a 'special orange drink' and a good old bitch!    Love ya!    

    So TeeVee 'funny man' Paddy McGuinness has been all over the press today - alongside Simon Baron-Cohen (you know, the non-Borat one) promoting their brand new Autism study. Sounds good? Well here's the small print.   Yup, it gives the research teams permission to use our genetic info for any purpose they see fit. Forever. And that includes using it for eugenics research. Cheer s Paddy! For a full overview of why the project is so problematic (if you can't figure it out already) I suggest reading the Brilliant Ann Memmott's comprehensive thread on Spectrum10K here . You're welcome.  Meanwhile I just have one thing to say:  

 The new issue of Autitude - illustrated & curated by myself (you're welcome!) and featuring a plethora of fantastic features taking in everything from poetry to prose via music and much more - is available now.      Download it here today!