Yehezkel Ben-Ari 
In my previous articles, I discussed the limitations of genetics in explaining autism and the importance of environmental factors—particularly pesticides during pregnancy. I then addressed the complex issue of epigenetics—the environmental regulation of gene activation or inactivation—an essential process that does not involve changes to the DNA sequence. This is a “non-sequential” form of control, … Read more
More than 250 years ago, Linnaeus observed changes in floral symmetry that were passed down through several generations. Two centuries later, it was discovered that this change was not due to a genetic mutation but rather to genetic regulation mediated by what has since been termed epigenesis—the factors that control the activation or inactivation of … Read more
In a previous chapter, I illustrated how pesticides can affect brain development and lead to autism. Here, before continuing the discussion of the long list of factors that can lead to the same outcomes, I’ll revisit the key principles of brain maturation to better understand how these factors come into play and result in developmental … Read more
In our article published in the *Journal of Medical Genetics*, Etienne Danchin and I addressed the issue of genetics dominating the field of autism. Our aim was to challenge the simplistic claims found in the scientific literature and mainstream media—that “autism is X% genetic” (often cited as 80%!). While it is true that a small … Read more
For several years now, I have been working with my colleagues on treatments for autism and various brain diseases and tumors based on the loss of brain inhibition. At the heart of this system is the regulation of intracellular concentrations of various ions, particularly chloride levels. As I have summarized many times, these levels largely … Read more
After 4 decades of classical academic research, once retired, I have shifted to applied research in 2011 and I briefly review below the ads and complexity of this shift. “There is no applied research but applications of basic science” this famous statement of Pasteur is certainly valid but not that easy to achieve. It often … Read more
During UNESCO’s restoration of a 12th-century church destroyed by ISIS in Mosul, architects discovered, alongside a quote from Jesus, a surah from the Quran attesting to the closeness of these two religions. In Egypt, there was a time when Jews and Muslims celebrated some of each other’s religious holidays together. Eastern Christians and Jews lived … Read more
Come on, let’s get out of here! It’s quite unbelievable how the West in general – Europe and the US – accepts and forgives everything Israel does. When we aren’t waging war for Israel (the US), whatever they do, we stand in solidarity with them – apart from the ‘we are concerned’ statements, which are … Read more
All right, some people are fed up with hearing it repeated ad nauseam that a genocide/war crimes/barbarism has been taking place in Gaza for over two years now. Yet the facts are there for all to see, and no one can deny them given these films (some of which have been hugely successful at festivals) … Read more
I am delighted to announce my election to the European Academy of Sciences. I was elected for my work on brain maturation, neurological and psychiatric disorders, the understanding of epilepsy, and, of course, alterations in GABA during maturation and in numerous diseases. This “shift” in GABA’s actions—which excites immature neurons due to high chloride levels … Read more
The success of the petition against the Yadan Law demonstrates the power of citizen protests and reminds us that we are still—for now—living in a democracy with the limited power to effect change. It is time to put an end to this “newspeak” that consists of talking a lot but doing nothing. The massacres in … Read more
You all remember the Schrödinger paradox of a cat who is simultaneously dead and alive. This one of the greatest mathematicians of all times explained why with quantal mathematics , nothing can be precisely determined, it is all a question of probability.Now, trump does better than that. Thus, the war in Iran is simultaneously already … Read more
With over 600,000 signatures, the Yadan Law—this nefarious bill that would label any protester opposing the massacres in Gaza and elsewhere (Lebanon, the West Bank, and the occupied territories) as anti-Semitic—is on its last legs. As usual, the Socialists seem to want to “abstain” after Hollande, Guedj, and others were among the signatories supporting this … Read more
I am delighted to give a lecture at the Academy of Medicine at the invitation of Professors Jean-Louis Guéant and Bernard Bioulac on April 14. The title of my lecture will be “The Neuroarchaeology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A New Approach to Predicting and Treating Autism.” I will try to cover the areas addressed by my … Read more
Detecting autism at birth and identifying children likely to respond to treatment: long out of reach, these prospects are becoming concrete thanks to artificial intelligence. Driven by my work, two major French advances, both world firsts, could transform the early care and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which affect approximately 1 in 127 children … Read more
The flotillas to Gaza have all ended the same way: an invasion by Israeli soldiers, with the participants detained until they sign a statement—preferably one saying they were treated well… or even that they have no complaints against Israel. And the ships were confiscated when they weren’t sunk or destroyed by drones. Moreover, this constitutes … Read more
While there is still no approved drug treatment to reduce the main symptoms of autism, a study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry shows that artificial intelligence could be a game changer. By reanalyzing data from large clinical trials previously considered negative using machine learning algorithms, researchers show that, when certain clinical profiles are taken into account, … Read more
To all the unwavering supporters of Israel, no matter what happens and no matter what Netanyahu and his clique do, please take a moment to look at the facts—and nothing but the facts. Forget for a moment October 7—despite the unforgivable massacres—the anti-Semitism allegedly caused by Muslims rather than Christians, contrary to the facts and … Read more
In France, as in Great Britain and Germany, any criticism of Israel is considered anti-Semitism, a racist aberration that can only be supported by politicians who have no sense of history or international law. To argue that massacres can and should be defended everywhere except when it comes to Israel, because it is a country … Read more
The technique of bombarding the world with fake news nonstop (in addition to bombs in Iran) is profitable. We can no longer talk about anything other than his moods and grandiloquent, empty phrases. It is becoming difficult to understand Americans, whose “American Dream and way of life” was not long ago held up as an … Read more
This phrase is generally attributed to Prince Charles, Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. He was a unique figure in French political history, having served during the Revolution, then under Napoleon’s empire, and then during the Restoration under Louis XVIII. He had remarkable longevity and an incredible ability to “adapt” to the mood of the moment. This phrase … Read more
Today, moments of pleasure are rare, with the media owned by those who are hostile to democracies and forget the consequences we experienced 80 years ago… Human memory seems to work in such a way that, within two or three generations, forgetfulness prevails and we repeat the same dreams of letting a powerful figure or … Read more
No sensible person with any sense of honesty can ignore the evidence that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Israelis have committed irreparable acts in GAZA. I challenge Israel’s defenders to forget for a second the biblical causes, anti-Semitism, October 7, etc., and examine the facts and nothing but the facts, and … Read more
Science does not know everything! Why does the universe seem to be expanding? Why and how do certain cancers and brain diseases develop, and how can they be treated? On the other hand, when science demonstrates a fact, ignoring it is tantamount to preferring fake news to reality and using your legs more than your … Read more
Two important decisions were made by France on the same day. Acting on orders from magistrates, the police raided Musk’s offices in France on charges of child pornography and undermining the democratic process on X, seizing computers and everything else they could find. Musk is furious, and we understand why. We finally think to ourselves, … Read more
The title is in keeping with the current atmosphere, but if it were adopted by the assembly and not rejected by the Constitutional Council, it would challenge the constitution and the foundations of our republic. Under the title “Proposed law to combat renewed forms of anti-Semitism, No. 575, tabled on Tuesday, November 19, 2024,” it … Read more
It is becoming difficult to challenge the fact that Israel has committed in the last 2 years a genocide by al possible definitions. If this word sounds to you as an infamy, you might use another one -war crimes, ethnic cleansing, mass killing etc. But the facts remain. Recently, Israel has suspended humanitarian organisations that … Read more
I am delighted to see the Ben-Ari Institute for Innovation (IBEN) soon to open 300 meters from INMED (INSERM), which I designed, founded, and directed almost two decades ago. There will therefore be two buildings, one academic and the other private, illustrating the growing importance of biotechnology in transforming academic discoveries into therapeutic tools. This … Read more
Eva Ilouz’s article (Le Monde, December 19) suggests that anti-Zionism is inherently anti-Semitic because it denies Jews the right to have a homeland like all other peoples/religions: “Anti-Zionism questions the very legitimacy of nationalism and the Jewish national home” and is therefore anti-Semitic. Analyzing the history of anti-Semitism and the view of Jews as despicable … Read more
We often wonder how to reconcile two fields as distant as science and faith. In the former, there are no absolute certainties, and any proposition or law can be challenged by new data, which is how our knowledge progresses. In the latter, there are dogmas that do not need to be proven and remain valid. … Read more
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