The impact of the availability of genetic screening
Technological and genomic advancements improve understanding of mental illness and its interaction with the environment. This enables screening for genetic mental illnesses and disorders, and the possibility of genetically engineering a healthier population without genetic mental illnesses. Ethical objections to genetic screening change over the medium to long term as genetically modified products become more commonplace and safe techniques are developed.
Proposed workforce impact
- Engineering a genetically healthier population leads to lower demand for the psychiatry workforce
- Increased supply and demand of people in the academic psychiatry workforce
- Increased demand for a workforce specialising in prevention
Sources or references
- NHS choices, (2012), Genetics - Genetic testing and counselling.
- National Institute of Mental Health, Looking at My Genes: What Can They Tell Me?
- Nuffield council on bioethics, Exploring ethical issues in biology and medicine. Mental disorders.
- Lawrence and Appelbaum, (2011), Genetic testing in psychiatry: a review of attitudes and beliefs. Psychiatry. 74(4):315-31. PS.
Additional research questions
- Will the population accept genetic screening?
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
