The ethics of electro-shock therapy.

Last September the Italian National Commission on Bioethics issued an opinion on the use of electro-shock (or electroconvulsive) therapy. It has now been made available in English translation and is reprinted here. The commission had been asked for an opinion by the leader of the Green Party group on Rome City Council. The request specifically asked whether it was now advisable to suspend the practice of this particular therapy. In producing its opinion, the commission's members seem to have consulted widely within Italy but not much outside.