Genetics and Mental Illness : Evolving Issues for Research and Society

Examines the nature of mental illness, focusing on the theory of psychiatric genetics. This book presents the viewpoints of investigators, policy analysts, and psychiatric patients. It explores the roles of genes in mental illness and describe various clinical, ethical, and social implications of psychiatric genetics.

''''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.