ethical issues

• risk of harm - point

  psychosurgery's main ethical issue is the damage that can be caused to the patient's brain.
• risk of harm - evidence

  The effects of psychosurgery are irreversible, which is very unethical. In particular, early psychosurgery results in significant changes to a patient's cognitive capabilities such as memory loss, as well as in some cases, the severe blunting of emotions. For example, the pre-frontal lobotomy left some patients in a permanently vegitative state, devoid of emotions.
• risk of harm - explain

  this serious physical harm means that the individual could end up with side effects from the surgery that are worse than the original mental illness.
• risk of harm - link

  therefore, even though psychosurgery can help to treat an individual, it is highly unethical due to the risk of harm, so the cost outweighs the benefits.
• valid consent - point

  however, psychosurgery is more ethical today, because valid and informed consent is always given.
• valid consent - evidence

  Since 1983 in the UK, informed consent needs to be given under the Mental Health Act for a person to undergo psychosurgery. This act incorporated stricter regulations regarding consent to psychological treatment, which is a positive move.
• valid consent - explain

  this means that the therapy is fully explained to the patient, or a responsible adult will agree to the therapy for the patient.
• valid consent - link

  therefore, given that consent is valid, the therapy is ethical and patients, or their family, can take some responsibility for the treatment.