Contemporary Debate - Ethics of Neuroscience
Ethical
Not Ethical
Ethical, Social and Economical
Understand consciousness
'Claustrum' - thin sheet of neurons found in the centre of the brain, is the seat of consciousness.
Claustrum like the conductor combining information from distinct brain regions.
54 year old woman suffered from epilepsy had an electrode placed near the claustrum whilst being electrically stimulated. The woman stopped reading, stared blankly and didn't respond to visual or auditory commands. When the stimulation stopped, she regained consciousness immediately with no recollection of the event. Stimulation repeated and the same thing happened.
Treat Criminal Behaviour
Criminal behaviour stems from an abnormal amount of neurotransmitters if this is the case then drugs could be used to treat criminals.
Understand Consciousness
Ethical issues are raised if scientists are able to locate consciousness in the brain such as whether individuals who are in a vegetative state should have life-support drawn.
Just because a patient has currently lost consciousness does that mean we have the moral right to withdraw care.
Also evidence has lack of validity because its only one case study on one abnormal brain (epilepsy).
Treat Criminal Behaviour
Neurological interventions may raise ethical concerns when it comes to using them on prisoners.
Cherek investigated the levels of impulsivity and aggression in males with a history of conduct disorder and criminal behaviour. Half placebo other half SSRI - SSRI group had a significant decrease in impulsive responses, and aggression declined by the end of the study.
Offering pharmacological treatments could reduce recidivism and make society safer for all.
Farah (2004) using neurological interventions signals a denial of an individuals freedom to have your own personality and think your own thoughts.
The criminal may be given an option to serve a prison term or course of medication - raises ethical concern as they are given very little option about medication.
Enhance Neurological Functions
Enhance Neurological Functions
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) involves passing a small electric current across specific regions of the brain.
Kadosh et al found that TDCS leads to improvements in problem solving and mathematical, language, memory and attention capabilities.
Students may use TDCS in preparation for exams. May be seen as not a new idea as people drink caffeine which basically neuroenhances them to be more alert to revise.
No training or licensing rules for practitioners when using TDCS. could lead to ineffective treatment or even brain damage.
Treatment not available to everyone - not fair that some individuals to benefit while others not at all.
Similarly to performance enhancing substances in sport should it be banned too? Also especially important to consider using treatment on brains that are still developing.
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