From Margaret Medina
Anyone who has had to work with people whose lives are impaired by gambling,
bulimia, even running, does not question the link between mind and body
(11 November, p 24).
The definition of physiological addiction includes withdrawal
symptoms, both those perceived by the addict and those that can be objectively
measured in the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system. It includes
behaviours that appear compulsive and hard to control despite a clear
understanding that the consequences of these behaviours may be damaging. Child
molestation and other criminal behaviours fit into this category, but will be
very different from the addiction to gardening you mention.
Gerhard Meyer and his colleagues at the University of Bremen are doing
important work. It’s time that the dynamics of some addictive behaviours were
examined in people, rather than in experimental protocols using rats. Humans can
speak and provide essential information about addiction that animals cannot.
Categorising these addictions in terms of reward systems that feed into the
brain chemistry should not be used to excuse criminal behaviour, however.
Science is itself perverted if used to excuse behaviours which can deprive
others of their life, health or sanity.
Socorro, New Mexico
