ASC 128 Ethics in the
New Genetic Era
BY: NATALIE R. CORONA
Mental
illness is said to affect the way an individual acts, thinks, or speaks. It is
a broad term and a difficult one to define. By definition, mentally ill people
are considered individuals whose actions/feelings interfere with their ability
to meet the demands of daily life.Researchers and scientists still do not have
an exact definition for it, but studies show mental illness to be linked to
psychological, social, biochemical or genetic factors. Two separate resources
offer two different definitions on mental illness: The Encyclopedia
Britannica defines it as "any illness with significant psychological
or behavioral manifestations and that is associated either with a painful or
distressing symptom or impairment in one or more important areas of
functioning," whereas, The Alliance for the Mentally Ill, defines it as
"a disease that can be a cause of either birth trauma, chemical imbalances
in the brain, and other biological environmental social and cultural factors."
Our
brain is our body’s control center controlling our breathing, balance, hearing,
memory, coordination, thinking, etc., which is all controlled by chemical and
electrical messages that work as a cycle with the nerve cell to complete
destination. If any part of this system is not functioning properly, mental illness
and other health problems can result.Although there are a wide range of mental
illnesses such as panic disorder, obsession-compulsive disorder, and
depression, my write up will focus on the two illnesses that have been found to
be genetically linked, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It appears that
genetics play a major role in the development of mental illness having been
passed down from generation to generation.
While it is clear that genetics plays a role,
hereditary factors alone are not the complete answer. Schizophrenia runs in
families and usually close relatives of schizophrenic patients are more likely
to develop the disease than those who are not related to someone with
schizophrenia. The risk of inheriting schizophrenia is 10% in individuals who
have one immediate family member with the disease, and 40% if the disease
affects both parents or an identical twin.
Bipolar
disorder, better known as manic-depressive illness, is considered to be one of
the most distinct and dramatic of the depressive or affective disorders. It
generally strikes before the age of 35 but in some cases, it has appeared for
the first time in individuals over the age of 40, mainly women.It is estimated
that nearly 100-200 million people will suffer from this disorder at some point
of their lives.Individuals with this disorder experience periods of high
euphoria and periods of deep depression. Some typical symptoms of manic and
depressive phases include euphoria, irritability, paranoia, a decreased need
for sleep, are easily distracted, a sense of worthlessness or helplessness,
losing or gaining weight, and/or have trouble concentrating. The illness is
classified into 3 different classifications:Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and
Cyclothymic Disorder. Individuals with bipolar I disorder, the most severe, may
experience depressive and manic episodes or usually just manic episodes, which
is considered very rare. Those with bipolar II, suffer from depressive episodes
with occasional bouts of hypomania, a low-grade manic symptom, but do not
experience what is called full blown manic phases.Individuals with cyclothymic
disorder, periods of hypomania switch with periods of depression. This disorder
is not as severe as bipolar I and II, but is more persistent. Some with the
cyclothymic disorder will have a full-blown bipolar disorder and others will
remain with a low-grade chronic condition. Like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
affects everyone, but it has been reported that women are three times likely to
experience the rapid cycling. The rapid cycle occurs between 10%- 15% of all
reported bipolar patients. About 59% of individuals report their first symptoms
to have occurred during childhood or their teens.
Besides
genetics, other factors play a significant role in mental illness, such as
environmental stress, abnormalities in the brain, and/or chemical defects.
Anything that triggers or has great influence on the human mind can cause
complications.
F: Some
severely disturbed people may become violent, most are quiet and withdrawn.
F: Some
forms seem to have genetic components, but researchers still know very little
why this occurs.
F: Some do
and do not. Many function well enough that people do not know they are
ill,
except for those who know them.
F: It
means that you have a disease. Names such as crazy, mad lunatic cause pain and
discouragement to those trying to seek help.
F: Most
individuals can be treated and overcome. Those who are ill and hospitalized,
have
recovered and never need treatment.
F: Millions
of children are affected by depression, anxiety, and other illnesses.
F: Mental
illness affects anyone, any age, and any race, social status and is hereditary.
A study
conducted in March of 1993 by the National Institute of Mental Health and the
National Advisory Council estimates: 1) 28.1% of the population, approximately
5 million adults over the age of 18 will suffer a mental disorder; 2) mental
disorders alone affect 22.1% of adults in any one year; 3) 12% of U.S. children
will develop mental illness and 3.2%, or 2 million children, will experience a
severe mental illness in any six-month period; 4) 15%-25% of people over 65
suffer from some form of mental illness; 5) nearly 1/3 of homeless people have
a severe mental illness; 6) 30,000 Americans who commit suicide each year, a
majority suffered from a mental illness or addictive disorder; 7) more than 7%
of people held in jails are seriously ill, ranging from schizophrenia, bipolar
disorder and other severe mental illnesses.
REFERENCES
2)
Gottessman, Irving . “Blind Men and Elephants: Genetics and Other Perspectives
on
Schizophrenia.”
Genetics
and Mental Illness. Hall, Laura Lee. New York: Plenum
Press,
1996, pages 51-74.
3)
Jamison, Kay Redfield. “Manic- Depressive Illness, Genes,and Creativity.” Genetics
and
Mental Illness. Hall, Laura Lee. New York: Plenum Press, 1996, pages 111-130.
4)
Lundy,
Allan. DIAGNOSING
AND TREATING MENTAL ILLNESS. New York &
Philadelphia:
Chelsea House Publishers, 1990.
5) Miles, Agnes. The Mentally Ill in Contemporary Society. New York: St. Martin’s
Press Inc., 1981.
6)
Perry,
M.D. Samuel, Allen Frances, M.D., and John Clarkin, Ph.D. A
DSM-III-R Casebook of Treatment Selection. New York: Brunner/Mazal,1985.
7)http://www.encyclopediabritannica.com/mental
disorder/illness