Amirali R. Davoudpour
Iranian Canon of Medicine and Law, Administrative Wing of Law and Healing association, Iranian Watchdog of Medicine and Law, Tehran-Iran
Email of the corresponding author: davoudpour@canmedlaw.org
Accepted and published July, 2024
This article is published under CC BY creative common license that Allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the original creator.
Abstract
This research article explores the intersection of psychological disorders and political decision-making, with a particular focus on the Jewish community and Israeli governance. Scientific advancements, such as the discovery of a gene linked to schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder among Ashkenazi Jews, have profound implications for understanding the role of mental health in governance. This gene increases the likelihood of these disorders by approximately 40% in Ashkenazi Jews and 15% in the general population, raising ethical, social, and political considerations (Lencz et al., 2013). The article examines historical and contemporary cases of political leaders with psychological disorders, including Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon, Abraham Lincoln, and Adolf Hitler, to illustrate the impact of mental health on leadership and decision-making. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive mental health support and ethical frameworks for the use of genetic information in governance to prevent stigmatization and promote public health. The prevalence of psychological disorders within the Jewish community, influenced by both genetic predispositions and socio-cultural factors, underscores the importance of targeted mental health strategies. Through this analysis, the article aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between psychological disorders and political leadership, advocating for informed and ethical approaches to mental health in governance.
Keywords: Bio-politics, Psychological Disorders, Governance