Evaluate 2 ethical issues of psychosurgery (8)

• Valid consent

  • P: significant ethical issue is ability of patients to give valid, informed consent

  • E: historically, psychosurgical procedures carried out in asylums and prisons, often without proper consent. Even today, patients with severe mental illnesses like depression may not be considered mentally competent to understand risks and make an informed decision

  • E: raises questions about autonomy and human rights, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved. Although Mental Health Act (1983) tightened consent procedures - ensuring detained patients must still consent unless sectioned for criminal reasons - ethical concern remains where mental capacity is compromised

  • L: even with legal safeguards, question of whether true informed consent can be given continues to challenge ethical legitimacy of psychosurgery
• Irreversible damage

  • P: another major ethical concern is permanent and sometimes harmful effects of psychosurgery

  • E: early techniques like prefrontal lobotomies often resulted in serious and irreversible consequences like memory loss and emotional blunting, with some patients left in a ”zombie-like” state. Although modern procedures like DBS are more precise, risks like seizures and mood disturbances persist

  • E: irreversible nature of brain surgery means patients may suffer long-term harm for limited benefit, contradicts ethical principle of non-maleficence (“do no harm”). Even with technological advancements potential for permanent side effects remains moral concern

  • L: highlights ongoing ethical dilemma in balancing potential therapeutic benefits against risks of irreversible harm in psychosurgical treatments