Ethics Commentary: Ethical Issues in Bipolar Disorder: Three Case Studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Laura Weiss Roberts
2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (S41) ◽  
pp. s128-s133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Craddock ◽  
Ian Jones

BackgroundA robust body of evidence from family, twin and adoption studies demonstrates the importance of genes in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder. Recent advances in molecular genetics have made it possible to identify these susceptibility genes.AimsTo present an overview for clinical psychiatrists.MethodReview of current molecular genetics approaches and emerging findings.ResultsOccasional families may exist in which a single gene plays a major role in determining susceptibility, but the majority of bipolar disorder involves more complex genetic mechanisms such as the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Molecular genetic positional and candidate gene approaches are being used for the genetic dissection of bipolar disorder. No gene has yet been identified but promising findings are emerging. Regions of interest include chromosomes 4p16, 12q23–q24, 16p13, 21q22, and Xq24–q26. Candidate gene association studies are in progress but no robust positive findings have yet emerged.ConclusionIt is almost certain that over the next few years the identification of bipolar susceptiblity genes will have a major impact on our understanding of disease pathophysiology. This is likely to lead to major improvements and treatment in patient care, but will also raise important ethical issues.


Author(s):  
Richard Shapcott

This chapter examines how we should think about ethics, starting with three framing questions: Do states and their citizens have significant moral duties to the members of other countries? Should states and their militaries be morally constrained in the conduct of war? Who is morally responsible for the alleviation of global poverty? The chapter proceeds by defining ethics and considering three significant and difficult ethical issues entailed by globalization: cosmopolitanism, statism, and realist ethics. It concludes by examining the ethical dimensions of global poverty and just war. Two case studies are presented, one dealing with the ethics of global warming and the other with the use of drones to carry out targeted assassinations. There is also an Opposing Opinions box that asks whether states should be morally free to reject as many immigrants, including refugees, as they choose.


Author(s):  
Gilberto Sousa Alves ◽  
Felipe Kenji Sudo ◽  
Johannes Pantel

Bipolar disorder (BD) is an extremely disabling condition characterized by mood switches, and cognitive and functional impairment. The current chapter discusses the updated review on pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions targeting BD in the elderly. The risk of concurrent medical diseases (eg, metabolic syndrome) and relatively lower tolerability than young BD make the patient safety a major concern in most cases. Evidence-based guidelines, although useful for promoting rational and effective therapy, are generally lacking in elderly BD. Current recommendations for acute mania include atypical antipsychotics, careful use of lithium, and election of valproate as the gold-standard therapy. In acute BD depression, first-line agents in monotherapy may include lithium, lamotrigine, quetiapine, and quetiapine extended release (XR). Electroconvulsive therapy may be an option for severe/refractory cases. Family members or caregivers should be encouraged to support the patient, since potential ethical issues involving patrimony or profession may arise during the treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Ficuciello ◽  
Guglielmo Tamburrini ◽  
Alberto Arezzo ◽  
Luigi Villani ◽  
Bruno Siciliano

AbstractThis article focuses on ethical issues raised by increasing levels of autonomy for surgical robots. These ethical issues are explored mainly by reference to state-ofart case studies and imminent advances in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and Microsurgery. In both area, surgicalworkspace is limited and the required precision is high. For this reason, increasing levels of robotic autonomy can make a significant difference there, and ethically justified control sharing between humans and robots must be introduced. In particular, from a responsibility and accountability perspective suitable policies for theMeaningfulHuman Control (MHC) of increasingly autonomous surgical robots are proposed. It is highlighted how MHC should be modulated in accordance with various levels of autonomy for MIS and Microsurgery robots. Moreover, finer MHC distinctions are introduced to deal with contextual conditions concerning e.g. soft or rigid anatomical environments.


2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 539-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Thompson ◽  
Jodi Brookins-Fisher ◽  
Dianne Kerr ◽  
Irene O’Boyle

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia B. Fisher ◽  
Tara L. Kuther

Faculty at 2 universities integrated 6 case studies on research ethics into their introductory psychology curricula. Students who received the ethics modules were better able to identify ethical issues and consider moral ambiguities them students who received standard instruction. Students and faculty favorably evaluated the curriculum, and students indicated that ethics instruction increased their interest in research psychology and scientific ethics.


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