Pharmacology Issues Analysis - Research Paper Example

? Week 12: Summary With the rapid scientific advances of the later part of the 20th century corresponding shifts have occurred in the fields of biotechnology and bioengineering. While many aspects of this technology have yet to be realized, there are a great many areas where such biotechnology has pervaded our daily lives. One prominent area of consideration is what is referred to as designer personalities. Broadly speaking, designer personalities are understood as personalities that are pharmaceutically altered to achieve optimal success and happiness. This essay examines what is meant by the term "designer personality," considers the ways we have of creating this today, and the advantages and disadvantages. The nature of a designer personality has been understood in a variety of contexts. Broadly speaking, it’s understood that designer personalities constitute personalities or behavioral patterns that are ‘treated’ through a variety of pharmacological options. The late 20th century witnessed an explosion in this realm of health care. Still, it’s noted that, “the idea that personality is mediated by biological chemicals is not new; it dates back to Hippocrates and the ancient Greeks” (Carson 2008). Today, however, a myriad of personality characteristics are treated through pharmaceutical options. Such treatments began with chemical responses to such severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Chemical treatment for severe dysfunctioning soon gave way to chemical options for a variety of elements of personality. In these regards, pharmaceutical options exist prominently for the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms, with Prozac and Zoloft, being among the most prominently prescribed drugs (Baghai & Rupprecht 2006). In addition to depression and anxiety, traits such as attention-deficit disorder are regularly treated through chemicals. There are a variety of advantages and disadvantages to the modern tendency towards ‘designer personalities’. Obvious advantages can be witnessed in individuals who contain severely debilitating personality disorders. For instance, it would be impossible for many individuals with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, or severe social anxiety to function without the aid of chemical intervention. Still, it’s clear there are a number of disadvantages. Perhaps the most prominent negative aspects of this occur with the glut of children diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder. Rather than restructuring the education system to adapt to the students, society has attempted to re-wire human consciousness. Another concern is that diversity of personality is an important part of a creative and innovative culture. In simply medicating society to a perceived ideal, important and unique personality characteristics are being eliminated. In conclusion, this essay has examined what are termed ‘designer personalities’. In this context of understanding, it’s revealed that designer personalities are already a prevalent part of the contemporary cultural climate, as individuals are readily medicated for depression, anxiety, and a variety of personality ‘shortcomings’. Ultimately, while there are advantages for individuals with severe dysfunction, the disadvantages are the threat of a monotone culture. References Baghai TC, Moller HJ, Rupprecht R (2006). "Recent progress in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options of major depression". Curr. Pharm. Des. 12 (4): 503–15. Carson, S. (2008). "designer" personalities . Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-art/200807/designer- personalities 2. One of the largest-scale scientific undertakings in recent years has been the human genome project. The Human Genome Project is a multinational effort to identify and map the approximately 20,000 – 25,000 genes of the human genome (McElheny 2010). The project was launched in 1990 and in 2000 a working draft of the genome was announced (McElheny 2010). 2003 witnessed the development of a complete draft of the human genome. Still, analysis is still being conducted and new findings are emerging. This essay describes two positive potentialities of the human genome project, and one negative possibility. There are a number of positive potentialities of the human genome project. The revolutionary device of the gene chip is one of the most important benefits of the human genome project. Scientists will be able to utilize this chip to identify specific areas of genetic distress; the chip will light up and indicates these areas (Harmon 2010). Scientists will then able to develop treatment options for these specific genetic areas. Another prominent future contribution made possible by the human genome project is gene therapy. While gene therapy is still an experimental and novel process, it’s understood that in the next decade a great amount of progress will be made within this field. Scientists refer to the Holy Grail of gene therapy, wherein with a single injection diseases such as particular forms of cancer will be able to healed without the complications involved with current institutions of gene therapy (Harmon 2010). These are medical advances that will be made a reality as a result of the Human Genome Project. While there are a number of positive potentials of the human genome project there are also a number of negative possibilities. One of most pervasive negative potential is the emergence of widespread ethical issues. These ethical issues emerge in a variety of contexts. For instance, a number of privacy and confidentiality questions have emerged. With the advancement of genetic engineering and increased insight into intimate details of a specific individual’s genetic makeup, the ethical challenges are in determining who should have access to such information (McElheny 2010). Too liberal a policy regarding the dissemination of this information could cause a potential psychological impact and stigmatization (McElheny 2010). Other future ethical challenges will be the risk of increased stereotyping and deterministic perspectives based on an individual’s genetic makeup. This is a major ethical challenge for a number of reasons. For instance, students could be restricted to specific career paths or course selections based on their genetic makeup; in effect, this could potentially create a highly restrictive cultural environment. In conclusion, this essay has examined future potentialities and negative aspects of the human genome project. Within this context of understanding it’s revealed that two positive future benefits of the human genome project are the gene chip and gene therapy. In terms of negative potentials, it’s demonstrated that a plethora of ethical concerns could potentially emerge. Ultimately, while there are both positive and negative aspects of the human genome project, it’s clear that significant progress has been made in this scientific undertaking. References Harmon, Katherine (2010). ‘Genome Sequencing for the Rest of Us’. Scientific American. McElheny V. (2010). Drawing the Map of Life: Inside the Human Genome Project. Basic Books. 3. The pervasive nature of designer personalities is such that it can be extended to virtually any individual in the contemporary world. The wide variety of drug options is such that nearly all aspects of personality can be targeted in an effort to create a more functional human being (Carson 2008). While the extent that such changes are negative or positive is debatable, it’s clear they constitute a significant response to modern day human existence. One can consider the implications for such aspects of modern human existence on the President of the United States Barack Obama. Presidents throughout every era outside of the late 20th and early 21st centuries did not have the designer personality options. In these regards, President Obama’s mental functioning can potentially be placed on a much more balanced continuum. The position of the President is such that they regularly face negative and disrupting news that can significantly contribute to stress and a deteriorated mental state. In this context of understanding, President Obama could be placed on a variety of anti-depressants to combat the stress of running one of the largest world nations. Researchers have noted that a drug such as Zoloft (Sertraline) has efficacy for happiness, motivation, as well as anxiety (Nagle & Nagle 2005). This could hold a tremendous impact not simply for President Obama’s life, but also for the entire state of the country. The President’s increased motivation and optimism could have a corresponding effect on the attitude of the nation. His lack anxiety could lead to the development of increased relationships with world leaders that lead to substantial policy changes. Ultimately, this individual’s balanced and positive mental functioning could correspondingly influence the globalized world. While there are a number of positive connotations of such a designer personality, there also exist potential negative outcomes. Anti-depressant medication is such that it may cover-up states of cynicism and depression that may be natural and appropriate responses to a specific environment. A President of the United States that is placed on significant medication could approach world situations with a positive outlook, when in reality a strong degree of cynicism would be more appropriate. For instance, one considers the need of the Federal Reserve to accurately forecast market concerns and adjust interest rates accordingly. An overly optimistic President could place undue emphasis on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to enact dysfunctional economic policies. In conclusion, this essay has examined the impact of designer personality measures on the President of the United States Barack Obama. In this context of understanding, it’s revealed that medicine such as Zoloft could have a significant positive impact on the President’s mental state, motivation, and social relations. It’s argued that such a change could have a strong positive impact on the nation. Conversely, it’s also indicated that such optimism could have a negative impact in situations where a healthy dose of cynicism is necessary and appropriate. References Carson, S. (2008). "designer" personalities . Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-art/200807/designer- personalities Nagle, H.; Nagle, B. (2005). Pharmacology: An Introduction. Boston: McGraw Hill. Read More