The Genetics of Mental Retardation: Biomedical, Psychosocial and Ethical Issues

by E.K. Hicks (Editor), J.M. Berg (Editor)

Overview

The Bishop Bekkers Foundation, devoted to the welfare of those with mental handicap and to the amelioration and prevention of this and related disabilities, is to be warmly congratulated for sponsoring and organizing the 1986 International Workshop from which the present book is derived. With commendable foresight, the Foundation recognized that genetic aspects of mental handicap were a timely focus for the Workshop and that dramatic biomedical developments and prospects in this sphere have highly significant psychosocial and ethical ramifications. The papers of the 23 contributors in each of these areas, together with an introductory essay and discussion summaries, comprise this volume. Much of the subject matter is inevitably concerned with such sensitive issues as sanctity and quality of life and the - sometimes contrasting and even in conflict - rights and needs of the actually and potentially handicapped, their relatives and society in general. Such considerations, not surprisingly, engender different approaches and viewpoints. The papers in this book reflect this, with the editing attempting to achieve, as far as possible, a coherent and consistent format and not an identical outlook. The perceptions and views expressed in each paper are there­ fore those of the author concerned and not necessarily those of the editors or of the Bishop Bekkers Foundation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789401070959
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	02/14/2012
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1988
Pages:	207
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

Section I: Prenatal Diagnosis.- Recent Developments in Prenatal Diagnosis: Biomedical Aspects.- First Trimester Fetal Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases: Techniques, Risks and Indications.- Chromosomal Findings in First Trimester Chorionic Villi Biopsy.- A Laboratory View of Prenatal Diagnosis.- Fetoscopy and Chorionic Villi Sampling in Prenatal Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders.- Psychosocial Aspects of Prenatal Diagnosis.- Ethical Questions in the Prenatal Chromosomal Diagnosis of Mental Retardation from the Paediatrician’s and Clinical Geneticist’s Points of View.- Evolution of Ethical Issues in Prenatal Diagnosis.- The Necessity for Ethical Reflection in Genetic Counselling: Advice for Professionals.- Discussion.- Section II: Postnatal Diagnosis.- Screening for Hemoglobinopathies in New York City.- The Use of the Computer in the Diagnosis of Dysmorphic Syndromes.- Genetic Causes of Mental Retardation in India.- Postnatal Diagnosis — The Next Decade.- Mental Retardation Syndromes Recognised after Birth: Problems of Diagnosis and Management.- Mental Retardation — Common Diagnostic and Genetic Counselling Problems.- Treating the Severely Handicapped Newborn Child: The Field of Choice.- Discussion.- Section III: Genetic Counselling.- Genetic Counselling in Mental Retardation: Realities and Implications.- X-linked Mental Retardation and fragile X (q27): Pitfalls and Difficulties in Diagnosis and Genetic Counselling.- Mentally Retarded Children Admitted to a Child Psychiatric Department: Diagnostic Problems and Counselling.- The Prevention of Mental Retardation with the Help of an Optimal Family Planning Programme.- Recent Developments in Genetic Counselling: Ethical Viewpoints.- Ethical Questions in Counselling for Patients Affected with Tuberous Sclerosis.- PsychosocialDevelopment in the Field of Genetic Counselling.- Discussion.- Notes on Contributors.