Genetic Testing and Screening for Mental Health Disorders

This project will organize a 5 day workshop of scholars from diverse disciplines to address the potential applications of genetic testing and screening for psychiatric illnesses in the health care system, the education system, and the justice system. The purposes of the workshop will be to identify potential applications of these technologies and provide basic guidelines for their appropriate use. Forty scholars from the disciplines of genetics, health care, health policy, education, law, history, philosophy, medical ethics, sociology, and journalism will participate in the workshop. Lay participants include representatives from mental health interest groups. The first two days of the workshop will address key aspects of the history, philosophy, sociology, and genetics of mental illness. Participants will address the potential applications of genetic technology in health care, education, and the law. Breakout groups will prepare guidelines for the application of genetic testing and screening for mental health disorders in these three societal areas. The guidelines will be expanded and refined by faculty members of the University of Utah following the workshop. The background papers, written commentaries, and guidelines will be published as a book. The workshop is being funded in part by the Snowbird Institute. (Co-funded with NIMH #R13 MH52227)