Description du projet
Les implications éthiques de l’épigénétique pour les troubles du neurodéveloppement
De récentes avancées dans le domaine de l’épigénétique indiquent que l’environnement social et physique influence l’activité génétique. L’épigénétique apporte une nouvelle perspective aux définitions d’une vision innée/acquise, génétique/environnementale et biologique/psychosociale et plus complexe des troubles du neurodéveloppement. Le projet NEUROEPIGENETHICS, financé par l’UE, examinera les implications éthiques des concepts dynamiques de la biologie dans les troubles du neurodéveloppement. Les chercheurs utiliseront des méthodes théoriques et empiriques pour analyser comment les personnes atteintes d’un trouble du spectre autistique, du syndrome de la Tourette ou d’un trouble hyperactif de déficit de l’attention interagissent avec leur environnement biologique et social. L’objectif ultime consiste à définir les aspects de la responsabilité morale dans le domaine des troubles du neurodéveloppement et de la pratique psychiatrique infantile.
Objectif
In folk psychology and in bioethical discussions, the central dogma of genetics is often taken for granted: humans are seen as defined in a genetic blueprint. The conceptualization of psychiatric conditions as innate or acquired, biological or psychosocial, genetic or environmental, influences the ascription of both capacity responsibility (the capacity to adapt or adjust one’s own behavior) and normative responsibility of individuals or the society towards those diagnosed. But findings in the field of epigenetics indicate that the social and physical environment influence how genes are expressed. Indeed, epigenetics may shed a new light on distinctions such as innate/acquired, genetic/environmental, biological/psychosocial: a far more complex view on neurodevelopmental disorders may emerge, with ethical implications. However, the implications of epigenetics for discussions on the scope and extent of normative responsibility have not been adequately addressed.
NEUROEPIGENETHICS aims to investigate the ethical implications of epigenetics for neurodevelopmental disorders. We will use theoretical and empirical methods to investigate how certain concepts (innate/biological/genetic) affect the ways in which professionals and stakeholders (persons with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families) conceive of responsibility. We will evaluate how the emerging field of epigenetics alters the ascription of capacity responsibility and normative responsibility. We will research how individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)and their families experience the interaction between their condition and their biological and social environment. Finally, we will define moral responsibility in light of the emerging field of epigenetics in the area of neurodevelopmental disorders and child psychiatric practice.
Champ scientifique
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Régime de financement
ERC-STG - Starting GrantInstitution d’accueil
2000 Antwerpen
Belgique