https://ground.news/article/autism-could-be-diagnosed-with-stool-sample-scientists-say_3ff19a?
Scientists have raised hopes for a cheap and simple test for autism after discovering consistent differences between the microbes found in the guts of autistic
Human: I'm the only intelligent being! I'm the crown of creation!
Gut microbes: Haha. Good one. Now dance for us!
LOL I failed to recognise at first that it could also be interpreted as bacteria causing autism. It could also be that because of a characteristic genetic programming, intestine cells produce a compound which specific microorganisms thrive in. In such a case, I wouldn't be surprised if someone also found such microbial indicators in saliva or on the skin.
OK, so I laughed pretty hard when I heard about Jenny McCarthy changing her son's diet when he was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old because I thought it was completely ridiculous https://people.com/celebrity/jenny-mccarthy-opens-up-about-her-son-with-autism/
That, along with her anti-vax stance, made me think she was totally nuts.
Whilst I still think she was likely wrong, I have a new understanding of her. It looks like the information on the gut biome that she may have encountered was possibly based on legitimate research. Also, whilst the MMR vaccine and autism link has now been thoroughly debunked, it was originally published in the Lancet which is a legitimate medical journal.
Given both of those factors and the shock and panic that an autism diagnosis may have inspired in a new mother, I can now totally sympathise with her actions.
If employers some day are ever going to use this to require you to poop in a cup to prove you're a neurotypical in order to secure employment, I'm fucking done.
It's only the next step. Nonpsychoactive thc metabolite drug tests are so normalized almost no one irl even sees an issue with it even after decades of reform. Why not keep going.
I understand the anxiety but realistically don't think you need to worry - autism would be a protected characteristic under most legal systems, right? You don't choose to have autism so it's not like drug use where there's at least some degree of choice involved.
I bet it would work in theory but difficult in practice when the medical profession does a “hold on, whats the dogs opinion on this?”
Honestly I am in favour of this, purely based on how hilarious your scenario makes it sound.
I also propose guidance on dressing the dog up like Dr. Scooby Doo.