October 24, 2003
Beyond Therapy - Biotechnology
This month the President's Council on Bioethics released "Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness a 300 page report containing topics such as:
Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness
Better Children
Superior Performance
Ageless Bodies
Happy Souls
"Beyond Therapy": General Reflections
In an editorial in the Washington Post by Leon R. Kass, chairman of the President's Council on Bioethics, he writes, " By all accounts, we are entering the golden age of biotechnology. Advances in genetics, drug discovery and regenerative medicine promise cures for dreaded diseases and relief for terrible suffering. Advances in neuroscience and psychopharmacology promise better treatments for the mentally ill. Techniques of assisted reproduction have already allowed more than a million infertile couples to have their own children. Without such advances -- past, present and future -- many of us would lead diminished lives or not be here at all."
There is also an interesting NY Times OP-Ed by William Safire about the report.
This has many more implications and ramifications for Technology and Psychiatry than we realize and needs to be an agenda item for all those involved in this area.
(Thanks to Zack at Brain Waves for bringing this to our attention)
Posted by rsk at October 24, 2003 12:00 PM