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Objectives: To present a conceptual and medical perspective on studies on wellbeing and its determinants. Method: The notion of well-being as a transient state and as a stable trait is considered conceptually. Results and Discussion: This consideration uncovers several linguistic dimensions relevant to well-being: subjectivity, multidimensionality, dynamism, contextdependency, complexity. These are related to the notions of health and quality of life, discussing the narrative dimensions of personal experience and the need to consider the psychophysiological triad composed of behavior, mentation, and physiology in the evaluation. Conclusion: The humanistic dimension of well-being and its determinants should be considered as a precondition for an attempt at a biopsychosocial/integrative approach. The methodical approach represented by overt language behavior is emphasized as important.

In this study, the author analyzes a series of considerations regarding the ethical aspects of using psychoactive substances, which he classifies into three types: medical or therapeutic, recreational, and performance-enhancing. He also discusses the problems around self-administration and administration by others of such substances. Psychoactive substances have given rise to long and thorough researches, assays and uses, in which economic factors play an important role, and have modified our knowledge of human nature. Therefore, it is urgent to discuss the ethical and legal aspects of their future use.

Resume Objectif La medecine et la psychiatrie sont des pratiques ayant en commun des personnes concues comme metanarratives, leur discours resultant de la fusion de narrations partielles. Methode Cet article etudiera et analysera les differents langages narratifs qui constituent ensemble une praxiologie, ensemble integre de diverses praxis telles que les narrations physiologiques, comportementales et issues de l’experience. Resultats Cette triade psychophysiologique permet la construction du sujet a travers son identite narrative que nous appellerons subjectualite, a distinguer de la subjectivite. Discussion Au niveau social, les troubles se manifestent dans divers discours : subjectif, objectif et interpersonnel. Conclusion Le savoir professionnel est la reference integrative de ces divers discours avec un objectif social (soigner, guerir, enseigner et proteger).

Resumen Destacando la preeminencia del punto de vista occidental en la configuracion del discurso bioetico conocido en America Latina, se presenta la tesis de una formulacion cultural que permita entender y aceptar diferencias. Cultura se define como el conjunto de creencias, tradiciones y aspiraciones que definen una identidad de grupo y determinan el ideal modelico de comportamiento para sus miembros. Es una pragmatica social que precisa ser estudiada, decodificada y entendida en terminos tanto descriptivos como interpretativos. Las propuestas en tal direccion deben replantear el alcance y los limites de una bioetica global en sus versiones «densa» o «suave».

Bajo el término humanidades solía entenderse en el Renacimiento europeo el cultivo de las perfecciones atribuidas a la Antigüedad clásica. Más ampliamente, el término designa aquellas disciplinas y saberes que complementan las actividades lucrativas con sensibilidad estética, conciencia histórica y discernimiento ético.

Most Latin American Research Institutions do not have an establish system to detect and denounce research misconduct This article reflects on the need to establish high standards in research integrity and monitoring mechanisms in Latin American Research Institutions in order to have an accurate science and for transferring research results to public policies, health promotion and social progress. Based on the experience of developed countries, we propose the following mechanisms to promote research integrity: to promote a culture to enhance good research practices; to establish norms to maintain responsible conduct of research; to establish monitoring proceedings; and to establish mechanisms of support to affront demands of research misconduct.

Departing from the notion that the method appropriate for bioethics should be interdisciplinary, an examination of real practices is suggested. It is contended that usual attempts end up either in a one-sided hegemony of technical discourses or in a moralizing attitude by people not conversant with the fields of empirical science they try to regulate. Epistemic cultures are not dependent only on concepts but on complex socialization processes that hinder true interdisciplinarity. It is contended that bioethics should be built upon a “hybrid epistemic culture”, taking into consideration from the outset both philosophical reflection and scientific literacy.

Resena de libro: Klemm, Friedrich. Historia de la tecnica. Luis de Caralt Editor, Barcelona, 1962.

Resena de libro: Timmermann, C. Social Justice and Agricultural Innovation. Springer, New York-Heidelberg, 2020.

Background: The World Association of Social Psychiatry (SP) and the International College of Person-Centered Medicine (PCM), while having their own background and goals, share some significant interests and concerns, raising hope for collaboration and synergism. Consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic that is severely challenging the world may also offer opportunities for organizations and programmatic perspectives to reflect on and optimize their paths. Objectives: This article is aimed at delineating a pattern of points of conceptual and strategic articulation between SP and PCM as perceived by scholars familiar with these perspectives, and to examine their implications for general health care and for responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is primarily a consultation study involving clinical scholars familiar with the two perspectives at hand around a list of prospective articulation points between SP and PCM based on a selective literature review. The specific methods engaged involved elucidation of prominent SP/PCM articulation patterns through tabular displays of panelist ratings and contrast between such articulation points and recommendations from the UN and WHO for advancing general health care and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The initial explorative elucidation of potential articulation points between SP and PCM, including a) Contextualized approach, b) Ethical commitment, c) Humanization of medicine, d) Concern for broad determinants of health, e) Commitment to health care and public health, and f) Contributing to UN SDGs, was supported by the ratings of panelists familiar with both perspectives and the recommendations of authoritative international health declarations (including those focused on COVID-19 response). This was particularly the case for complementary concern for health care and public health, a contextualized person/whole society approach, and ethical commitment to persons' values. Conclusions: The thrust of the results of the present study and their contrast with the emerging professional and scientific literature stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic affords clarification and validity on the concepts and strategies of SP and PCM and opens new avenues for useful collaboration.

This paper examines the methodological and axiological pluralism of contemporary psychiatry. It describes and criticizes the dominant technical paradigm and suggests the need of an integration of perspectives and discourses under the guiding concept of bioethical imperative.