Genetics and Depression: Policy and Ethical Issues
Overview
Recent findings from family, adoption, and twin studies have strongly confirmed clinical experience that depressive disorders run in families. These findings suggest a genetic basis for susceptibility to depressive disorders such as bipolar and recurrent major depressive illness. Additional evidence for genetic susceptibility has been provided by the identification of candidate genes for depressive disorders. The identification of susceptibility alleles for depressive disorders promises to improve the identification of those at risk. We review the major findings from studies of susceptibility genes for depressive disorders and identify ethical and policy issues raised by proposals to screen and intervene with persons identified as at higher risk of developing depression, and to use genetic information in tailoring drug treatment to patients with depression (pharmacogenetics). We also suggest strategies that may be put in place to minimise the adverse effects and maximise the benefits of genetic screening, targeted interventions for at risk persons, and pharmacogenetics.
OPPE Staff
Wayne Hall, Katherine Morley and Lucy Carter
Status
Completed
Outcomes
A report to beyondblue that summarises the findings of the review and provides recommendations where appropriate on policy options.
The publication of
papers reporting the analyses in peer-reviewed journals:
Morley, K.I., Hall, W.D. & Carter, L. (2004) Genetic
screening for susceptibility to depression: can we and should we? Australian
and New
Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 38(1-2): 73-80.
Morley, K.I. & Hall, W.D. (2004) Using pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: some ethical and economic considerations. Journal of Molecular Medicine, 82: 21-30.
Funding
Contact webmaster: oppe@uq.edu.au
Last updated: 1 September
2004