Ethical Issues of Molecular Genetics in Psychiatry - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3540536752 ISBN 13: 9783540536758

Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K, 1991

Synopsis

Over the past few years, genetics research has been in a phase of remarkably sustained and continuous revolution. The advent of "new genetics" of recombinant DNA has resulted in new discoveries occurring at a breath­ taking pace, many of which have important clinical implications, for example, in new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of hemoglobinopathies, cystic fibrosis and some forms of muscular dystrophies. Recent findings of psychiatric relevance have included the localization of the genes for Huntington's chorea and the use of DNA probes in predictive testing. Advances have been achieved in the understanding of the molecular biology of Alzheimer's disease, and at least some familiar forms of the condition appear to be linked to a gene of chromosome 21. Taking into account current achievements in molecular genetics as well as future findings, it can be predicted that the application of new genetic technologies is likely to lead to ethical problems in practical psychiatry. In order to initiate discussions aiming to generate ideas and develop the background for future consensus in the complex area of ethics relating to the application of molecular approaches in the study of psychiatric disorders, the World Health Organization, in collaboration with the IPSEN Foundation, organized in Brno, Czechoslovakia, June 11-12, 1990, an international conference to review knowledge related to molecular genetic studies in psychiatry, with particular reference to ethical problems.

About this title

Synopsis

Recent developments in molecular genetics have brought up new ethical challenges. Questions arise from the discovery of new markers or genes related to mental disease, or in decision-making with regards to abortion. Genetic therapy itself must be considered, as well as the problems it poses. This volume presents the discussions which emerged from a joint meeting of the IPSEN Foundation and the World Health Organization, when a number of molecular geneticists, psychiatrists, churchmen and legal professionals met to consider these ethical issues.

About the Author

Yves Christen is one of Europe's most prolific science writers. Trained at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France, he holds his doctorate in immunogenetics, and master's degrees in psychology, biochemistry, and animal biology. The author or co-author of ten books, he has edited nine others. He is currently Chairman of la Fondation IPSEN, an organization established to track progress in biomedical research.

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 3540536752
• ISBN 13: 9783540536758
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 187
• Editor: Sram Radim J., Bulyzhenkov Victor, Prilipko L., Christen Yves