Autism Linked to Older Fathers

The journal Nature recently linked two contemporary trends: the increasing age of first-time fathers, and the increasing rate of autism.

DeCode Genetics has determined that humans inherit more than three times as many mutations from their fathers as from their mothers, and mutation rates increase with the father's age but not with the mother's.

 This suggests, says Nature, that "By starting families in their thirties, forties and beyond, men could be increasing the chances that their children will develop autism, schizophrenia and diseases often linked to new mutations." Although other factors are sure to be at work, this could help to explain a 78% rise in autism spectrum disorder since 2007 in the US.

 How can this be countered? Encouraging men to marry earlier. Or have young men freeze their sperm in adolescence.