The Centre for Jewish History & Culture
in the School of Historical Studies Presents
Methylphenidate
and other cognitive enhancers: What does Judaism say?
A PUBLIC FORUM
The exponential increase in
the apparent incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
in children and adolescents during the past two decades has been accompanied
by a corresponding increase in the prescription rate of Methylphenidate, an
amphetamine-like cognitive enhancing drug used to treat ADHD.
Controversy surrounds what many believe to be overdiagnosis, related disorders
and overprescription of treatments.
Underlying this controversy are ethical concerns related to the use of mind-altering
drugs during the peak period of human brain development and the possibility
that in some cases Methylphenidate is used to impose social control on normal
lively children who are unable to resist coercion or give informed consent.
In this forum a panel of experts will discuss the Jewish perspective on the
ethics of Methylphenidate and other cognitive enhancers.
PANEL
Dr Michael Greenbaum, Psychiatrist
Jewish Medical Ethics Group
Dr Izhak Haviv, Ethicist
Peter MacCallum Institute and University of Melbourne
Rabbi James Kennard, Principal
Mt Scopus Memorial College
Dr Neil Levy, Research Fellow
University of Melbourne
Professor Frank Oberklaid, Director
Centre for Community Child Health
Royal Children's Hospital and University of Melbourne
ICT Theatre 1, 111 Barry St
University of Melbourne
Parkville Melbourne Australia
Thursday 21 May 2009 7:00-9:00 PM
ENQUIRIES
Dvir Abramovich
(03) 8344 3789 / dvir@unimelb.edu.au
