Do the genes for autism and scientific ability run in the same families? Tonight, as part of the ’‘Spotlight on Science’ series at the Cambridge Science Festival, Professor Simon Baron-Cohen will discuss classic autism and Asperger Syndrome, two subgroups on the autistic spectrum.

Both lead to social and communication difficulties, the former also involving learning difficulties. Both also involve the development of strong, narrow, unusual interests - sometimes disparagingly called "obsessions".

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen analyses the nature of these 'obsessional interests' and reveals that they entail a talent for "systemizing". Systemizing is the drive to understand how systems work and how to predict them. Science is the paradigm case where we systemize. The lecture then looks at the intriguing possibility that there may be a genetic link between autism and strong systemizing.

The lecture is one of seven in the Cambridge Science Festival’s ‘Spotlight on Science’ lecture series. The Festival’s ‘Spotlight on Science’ lecture series includes a panel discussion on ‘Priorities for People and Planet’ as well as science and technology lectures ‘Beyond Einstein: the Value of Physics’ and ‘The Mathematics of Luck, Risk & Gambling’.

The Science Festival runs until Sunday, 26 March. It provides people of all ages the opportunity to explore science through hands on activities and talks hosted by people who study or work with science, engineering and technology.

The first Science weekend was held on the weekend of March 18-19, when many of the laboratory tours, demonstrations and hands-on activities took place. Carol Vorderman opened the Science weekend on Saturday, March 18 in the Courtyard, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge.

Now in its 13th year, the Cambridge Science Festival hosts over 100 events and is one of National Science Week’s major initiatives. Its aim is to interest school children and adults in the scientific research going on throughout the University, and to encourage school pupils to consider studying science in the future. The events also provide the general public with the chance to ask questions of researchers at the University of Cambridge and for scientists to engage with the public on issues of interest and concern.

The full programme of the events is on the festival’s website. Interested parties can also call the information line on 01223 766766.

The 2006 Cambridge Science Festival is sponsored by Cambridge University Press, The Technology Partnership, Microsoft Research, the Vodafone UK Foundation, Science Magazine and Oracle. Supporters of the Festival include Cambridge Evening News and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

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