Descrizione del progetto
Le implicazioni etiche dell’epigenetica per i disturbi del neurosviluppo
I recenti progressi compiuti nel campo dell’epigenetica indicano che l’ambiente sociale e quello fisico incidono sull’attività genica. L’epigenetica apre una nuova prospettiva sulle definizioni di termini opposti quali innato/acquisito, genetico/ambientale e biologico/psicosociale, nonché su una visione più complessa in merito ai disturbi del neurosviluppo. Il progetto NEUROEPIGENETHICS, finanziato dall’UE, approfondirà le implicazioni etiche esercitate dai concetti dinamici della biologia sui disturbi del neurosviluppo. I ricercatori si avvarranno di metodi teorici ed empirici per analizzare il modo in cui gli individui affetti da disturbo dello spettro autistico, sindrome di Tourette e disturbo da deficit d’attenzione e iperattività interagiscono con il loro ambiente biologico e sociale. L’obiettivo finale è quello di definire gli aspetti legati alla responsabilità morale nel campo dei disturbi del neurosviluppo e nella pratica psichiatrica infantile.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-STG - Starting GrantIstituzione ospitante
2000 Antwerpen
Belgio