[Implications of biological models on psychiatric clinical practice.]

The explanatory models of a biological nature are growing in popularity in psychiatry. The reason for this ideological tendency is studied and contradictory evidences are underlined. It seems that an exclusively biological conception of psychiatric disorders is more prescriptive than descriptive of the facts. Biological models, seemingly more "scientific" are particularly of interest to the professionals with a bio-medical training, and, in this sense, bear important implications for the practice of psychiatry. Their influences on clinical practice, professional training and research are reviewed and discussed.