The British Journal of Psychiatry (2009) 195: 189-190. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.064337
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Related articles in BJP
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Newson, A. J.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Newson, A. J.

EDITORIALS

Depression under stress: ethical issues in genetic testing

Ainsley J. Newson, PhD

Centre for Ethics in Medicine, University of Bristol, 3rd Floor, Hampton House, Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6AU, UK. Email: ainsley.newson{at}bristol.ac.uk

Declaration of interest

None.

Ainsley J. Newson is a senior lecturer in biomedical ethics at the University of Bristol. She has degree qualifications in science, law and medical ethics, and her research examines the ethical implications of human genetics and reproduction, including family communication and prenatal diagnosis. Her PhD focused on the ethics of behavioural genetics. She teaches medical ethics to undergraduate medical students and is also Programme Manager of the MSc in Health Care Ethics and Law.

Genetic testing for risk of depression requires a reconsideration of ethical issues in genetics and how they manifest in psychiatric practice. A precautionary approach is advocated in that there should be limits on the use of the 5-HTT genetic test until its clinical utility and broader social impact are better understood.


Related articles in BJP:

From the Editor’s desk
Peter Tyrer
BJP 2009 195: 280. [Full Text]  

Highlights of this issue
Sukhwinder S. Shergill
BJP 2009 195: A9. [Full Text]