Genetics and Mental Illness: Evolving Issues for Research and Society / Edition 1

by L.L. Hall

Overview

''Refreshing and informative....describe[s] the new complex research tools, directions and interpretations in a lucid and understandable fashion.'' —- Lancet, North American edition ''Beautifully crafted...The most significant contribution of this book involves its integration of areas that are not typically considered in genetic overviews.'' —- American Scientist, 1998 ''This book does an extraordinary job of making sense out of the many complex and controversial issues surrounding psychiatric genetics...It is worth the price.'' —- Journal of Genetic Counseling, Vol. 6, No. 3, 1997 This collection of essays clearly examines the complex nature of mental illness, focusing on the theory and state of the art of psychiatric genetics. This insightful volume is the first to present the diverse viewpoints of investigators, policy analysts, and psychiatric patients. Contributors explore the roles of genes in mental illness and describe various clinical, ethical, and social implications of psychiatric genetics. Additional discussions include trends in psychiatric genetic research, nature versus nurture in behavioral genetics, basic statistical principles of linkage analysis, and the many social domains relevant to psychiatric genetics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306451669
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	01/31/1996
Series:	Subcellular Biochemistry
Edition description:	1996
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

Hall, Laura Lee (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Arlington, VA)

The contributors represent the specialties of psychiatry and psychology. Most are from universities and research institutions in the U.S., with one from England. Institutions prominently represented include Harvard and Columbia Univ.

Table of Contents

Introduction (L.L. Hall). Evolution and Revolution in Psychiatric Genetics (C.A. Kaufmann et al.). Beyond Nature versus Nurture (R. Plomin). Gene Mapping Studies in Psychiatry (N. Risch). Blind Men and Elephants: Genetic and Other Perspectives on Schizophrenia (I.I. Gottesman). The Inheritance of Mood Disorders (M.T. Tsuang, S.V. Faraone). Manicdepressive Illness, Genes, and Creativity (K.R. Jamison). A Hunger for Knowledge and Respect (M.A. Beall). The Human Implications of Psychiatric Genetics (L.L. Hall). Bioethics and the Federal Government: Some Implications for Psychiatric Genetics (R.M. CookDeegan). Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Giridhar G. Reddy, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book contains a collection of essays on our current understanding of the genetics of major mental illnesses. The editor is a prominent member in the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the various contributors are experts in their respective field.
Purpose: The purpose is to summarize the current data on the genetics of severe mental illnesses, with special emphasis on the ethical issues that arise from this knowledge. This book meets this objective sufficiently.
Audience: The book is targeted at mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral scientists, and researchers, as well as informed laypersons.
Features: The book includes appropriate tables to demonstrate or clarify the text. Article references are extensive and up-to-date.
Assessment: This is a comprehensive review of data, summarizing our current understanding of the genetics of severe mental illnesses. This book takes a balanced approach and throws light on the meaning these data have for people with severe mental illnesses and their family members. The presentation is lucid, considering the complexity of the area of psychiatric genetics. Many ethical issues that arise with this knowledge are sufficiently debated and most importantly remind us to be thoughtful and humane in the application of this new understanding.

Doody's Review Service

Reviewer: Giridhar G. Reddy, MD(Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book contains a collection of essays on our current understanding of the genetics of major mental illnesses. The editor is a prominent member in the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the various contributors are experts in their respective field.
Purpose: The purpose is to summarize the current data on the genetics of severe mental illnesses, with special emphasis on the ethical issues that arise from this knowledge. This book meets this objective sufficiently.
Audience: The book is targeted at mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral scientists, and researchers, as well as informed laypersons.
Features: The book includes appropriate tables to demonstrate or clarify the text. Article references are extensive and up-to-date.
Assessment: This is a comprehensive review of data, summarizing our current understanding of the genetics of severe mental illnesses. This book takes a balanced approach and throws light on the meaning these data have for people with severe mental illnesses and their family members. The presentation is lucid, considering the complexity of the area of psychiatric genetics. Many ethical issues that arise with this knowledge are sufficiently debated and most importantly remind us to be thoughtful and humane in the application of this new understanding.

This book contains a collection of essays on our current understanding of the genetics of major mental illnesses. The editor is a prominent member in the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the various contributors are experts in their respective field. The purpose is to summarize the current data on the genetics of severe mental illnesses, with special emphasis on the ethical issues that arise from this knowledge. This book meets this objective sufficiently. The book is targeted at mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral scientists, and researchers, as well as informed laypersons. The book includes appropriate tables to demonstrate or clarify the text. Article references are extensive and up-to-date. This is a comprehensive review of data, summarizing our current understanding of the genetics of severe mental illnesses. This book takes a balanced approach and throws light on the meaning these data have for people with severe mental illnesses and their family members. The presentation is lucid, considering the complexity of the area of psychiatric genetics. Many ethical issues that arise with this knowledge are sufficiently debated and most importantly remind us to be thoughtful and humane in the application of this new understanding.

Giridhar G. Reddy

Nine reports by mental health professionals and activists summarize the known data regarding a possible genetic dimension to severe mental illness and explores the implications while steering between the vocal wings of the debate, one of which denies any connection and the other of which wants to search urgently for The Insanity Gene. A history of psychiatric genetics and bioethics and the federal government are among the topics. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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