29/08/2012

Designer Babies?

To me, choosing the sex of your own baby is pretty alarming, frightening and frankly unethical. But I can't exactly tell you why I think this. As is the case in the UK, I can understand the legality in sex changing if the foetus appears to be suffering from a sex-specific disorder or genetic disease. But what I can't even begin to understand is parents apparently 'flocking' to America to engineer their babies' gender. It's not like I'm against sex-changes or transgender individuals in adulthood, but for me there's something wrong about changing the sex of a baby apart from in very exceptional, and life-threatening circumstances. Perhaps it seems an admission that the baby would have been loved more if science and nature happened to turn out one way rather than the other.
This should certainly spark some discussion. Let me know your thoughts, by commenting here or on facebook!
http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/gender-selection-ivf-treatment-uk-couples-sex-baby.html

18/08/2012

Get Psychologising Again!

I'm back. I promise. I've started trawling the web for new sources of accessible psychology-related pieces to refill my blog now I've got my grades (yay! I can finally move on with my life, knowing my ambitions are still possible and even, dare I say it, probable!). So sit back, relax and prepare for a stream of psychology MADNESS. Oh and, if you like, share with your friends :)

First up, a very interesting article on the possible effects of having lights on at night, and possible links to clinical depression: http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/07/24/keep-the-tv-or-computer-on-at-night-youre-at-greater-risk-for-depression/42184.html

Secondly, a little bit of tumblr mayhem for your delectation, on the theme of mental health and filled with discussion, interesting articles and of course memes: http://fiuactiveminds.tumblr.com/page/2

An interesting debate on whether healthcare systems have a right to deny major operations (here, a heart transplant) to individuals with autism, or any mental issue, due to concerns over the effect that drugs such as steroids may have on behaviour: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/after-adult-autistic-son-denied-heart-transplant-pennsylvania-woman-seeks-to-reverse-decision/2012/08/17/db4778aa-e834-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html
and check out the real debate on the national autistic society's facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/NationalAutisticSociety

That's all for now folks! For anyone interested, keep an eye on news on the NAS (National Autistic Society), BPS (British Psychological Society) and Mind (Mental Health Charity) websites. Be aware of all things psychological, give me a share if you like my thinking and don't forget - I'm always up for discussion: comment,ask me a question or simply reblog. It's good to be back and psycholo-geeking!

13/08/2012

Growing Children

Great new programme on BBC 4 exploring childhood development. Starting with autism, it's well-made, well-researched and well-worth-a-watch!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01lyczl

Did you see it? Let me know your thoughts!