Biological Approach:
In anthropology, the biological approach is the approach that deals with and looks further into human growth, evolution, and adaptation of the body and how these things affect the health and body of humans. (Lecture 1.1). The biological approach is used by many including the majority of medical professionals such as doctors, surgeons, as well as nurses. For example, genetics play a definitive role in people's lives and what diseases or illness that they may or may or not be more suscept to acquiring or being less prone to having in their lives based on their genetic make-up. In relation to autism, the biological approach of anthropology is important to analyze because it could help determine the reason that someone is autistic. Autism can be linked to mutations in the genetic sequence at the DNA level, so understanding and researching autism at the biological level would be beneficial to better understanding the disease and the cause of it in patients around the world. As shown in the pie chart on the right, a percentage of autism is linked to inherited genes, chromosomal anomalies, and single gene mutations. (Genetics of Autism).
Ecological Approach:
The ecological approach of anthropology differs from the biological approach in that it has to do with organisms and how they interact with their environment and surroundings to better understand and analyze diseases spread throughout the population. (ANP 204 Lecture 1.2). The ecological approach focuses on the complex relations between people and their environment. (Panakhyo). Human populations in particular have continual contact with changing climate, plants, and animals and these factors all play a role on humans. In general, ecological anthropology provides a relationship between humans and their given environmental conditions. Ecological anthropology is beneficial when researching the disease of autism because research has shown that different environmental conditions can be the cause of becoming autistic. For example, in the United States today, many children are vaccinated and required to have certain vaccinations before entering the school setting, so many babies are vaccinated at birth. Today, many researchers are showing that there may be a link between vaccinations and the likelihood of acquiring autism, a very controversial topic especially in today's society. In the graph below, a researcher in Japan shows the link between autism rates in Japan vs. MMR and measles vaccinations by birth year. (Child Health Safety).
In anthropology, the biological approach is the approach that deals with and looks further into human growth, evolution, and adaptation of the body and how these things affect the health and body of humans. (Lecture 1.1). The biological approach is used by many including the majority of medical professionals such as doctors, surgeons, as well as nurses. For example, genetics play a definitive role in people's lives and what diseases or illness that they may or may or not be more suscept to acquiring or being less prone to having in their lives based on their genetic make-up. In relation to autism, the biological approach of anthropology is important to analyze because it could help determine the reason that someone is autistic. Autism can be linked to mutations in the genetic sequence at the DNA level, so understanding and researching autism at the biological level would be beneficial to better understanding the disease and the cause of it in patients around the world. As shown in the pie chart on the right, a percentage of autism is linked to inherited genes, chromosomal anomalies, and single gene mutations. (Genetics of Autism).
Ecological Approach:
The ecological approach of anthropology differs from the biological approach in that it has to do with organisms and how they interact with their environment and surroundings to better understand and analyze diseases spread throughout the population. (ANP 204 Lecture 1.2). The ecological approach focuses on the complex relations between people and their environment. (Panakhyo). Human populations in particular have continual contact with changing climate, plants, and animals and these factors all play a role on humans. In general, ecological anthropology provides a relationship between humans and their given environmental conditions. Ecological anthropology is beneficial when researching the disease of autism because research has shown that different environmental conditions can be the cause of becoming autistic. For example, in the United States today, many children are vaccinated and required to have certain vaccinations before entering the school setting, so many babies are vaccinated at birth. Today, many researchers are showing that there may be a link between vaccinations and the likelihood of acquiring autism, a very controversial topic especially in today's society. In the graph below, a researcher in Japan shows the link between autism rates in Japan vs. MMR and measles vaccinations by birth year. (Child Health Safety).
Anthropological Journal Article:
I found an article written by a professor analyzing the connections between anthropology and the disease of autism. The author discusses the social relationships altered by having autism and how it impacts the social life of people suffering of autism, which are clearly altered due to physical and mental deficits from autism. The author also tries to bring forward the thought of how people with autism feel about having the disease and how they deal with it on a day to day basis. This particular professor is continuing to provide research to the institution she is researching for and providing more insight and knowledge about the connections between autism and anthropology.
Citations:
Panakhyo, M "Ecological Anthropology" University of Alabama Department of Anthropology. http://anthropology.ua.edu/cultures/cultures.php?culture=Ecological%20Anthropology (accessed 8/10/14).
"Genetics of Autism, Autism Evaluation, Types of Autism." Genetics of Autism, Autism Evaluation, Types of Autism. Accessed August 13, 2014.
"Japanese & British Data Show Vaccines Cause Autism." Child Health Safety. Accessed August 13, 2014.
Lawlor, Mary. "Autism and Anthropology?" US National Library of Medicine. March 1, 2010. Accessed August 13, 2014.
I found an article written by a professor analyzing the connections between anthropology and the disease of autism. The author discusses the social relationships altered by having autism and how it impacts the social life of people suffering of autism, which are clearly altered due to physical and mental deficits from autism. The author also tries to bring forward the thought of how people with autism feel about having the disease and how they deal with it on a day to day basis. This particular professor is continuing to provide research to the institution she is researching for and providing more insight and knowledge about the connections between autism and anthropology.
Citations:
Panakhyo, M "Ecological Anthropology" University of Alabama Department of Anthropology. http://anthropology.ua.edu/cultures/cultures.php?culture=Ecological%20Anthropology (accessed 8/10/14).
"Genetics of Autism, Autism Evaluation, Types of Autism." Genetics of Autism, Autism Evaluation, Types of Autism. Accessed August 13, 2014.
"Japanese & British Data Show Vaccines Cause Autism." Child Health Safety. Accessed August 13, 2014.
Lawlor, Mary. "Autism and Anthropology?" US National Library of Medicine. March 1, 2010. Accessed August 13, 2014.