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Contemporary Debate: The Ethics of Neuroscience - Coggle Diagram
Contemporary Debate: The Ethics of Neuroscience
Neuroscience is Ethical
Understand Consciousness
Francis Crick & Christ of Koch (1998):
propose that the Claustrum, thin sheet of neurone at the centre of the brain, is the seat of consciousness
Believe the claustrum acts like the conductor of an orchestra, combining information from distinct brain regions
-> (Supports Crick & Koch) Koubeissi et al (2014):
A 54 yr old women suffered from severe epilepsy and during some tests on her brain an electrode placed near the claustrum was electrically stimulated
The woman stopped responding and stared blankly responding to no auditory/verbal commands
Stimulation stopped & she regained consciousness with no recollection
The same thing happened after a second stimulation
Information could help make decisions about those in a persistent vegetative state
Treat Criminal Behaviour
Some believe criminal behaviour stems from abnormal levels of certain ntm's -> if true drugs could be used to treat criminals
Cherek et al (2002): investigated levels of impulsivity & aggression in males with a history of conduct disorder & criminal behaviour, half received a placebo for 21 days and the other paroxetine (SSRI antidepressant), those who got the antidepressant showed a significant decrease in impulsive & aggressive responses by the end of the study
Enhance Neurological Function
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) involves passing a small electric current across specific regions of the brain
Cohen Kadosh et al (2012): found TDCS leads to improvements in problem solving and mathematical, language, memory & attention capabilities, students could use it in prep for exams
Neuroenhancement may not be such a new thing as students already use caffeine based drinks to block adenosine receptors in the brain therefore more alert to revise
Improve Marketing Techniques
When interviewed by market researchers we may not fie our true opinions as we want to appear in a 'good light'
This Social Desirability Bias can be avoided by using eye tracking equipment which provides evidence of what really catches a persons eye when shopping/watching ads -> EEG's can also be used
Neuroscience is Not Ethical
Understand Consciousness
Doubt about the soundness of the experiment due to it being derived from the case study of one abnormal brain
Treat Criminal Behaviour
Many see crime as a response to social context
Martha Farah (2004) argues if courts use neurological interventions it signals the denial of an individuals freedom
If offering prison sentence or medicine -> introduces ethical issue of implicit coercion - the criminal is left with little choice about medication
Enhance Neurological Function
Ethical Limitations of TDCS: no training/licensing rules for practitioners -> lead to poorly qualified clinicians administering ineffective treatment/causing brain damage
May not be fair to give certain individuals the benefits as not all people are available to have it
Improve Marketing Techniques
Neuromarketing has access to our inner thoughts
Wilson et al (2008) believed commercial integration of NM research wil lallow advertisers to deliver individualised messages where our free will is potentially manipulated by big brands
Nelson (2008) found 5% of the brain scans recorded by marketing firms produced 'incidental findings' -> e.g. researchers might see evidence of brain tumours/other problems -> they are not board certified therefore not obliged to follow ethical protocols e.g. advising the person of their findings
Ethical, Social & Economical Implications
Improving marketing techniques can aid the economy by stimulating sales & profits
But these are by no means the only social and economic implications of NS -> e.g. Nuffield Trust (2014) points out that since the financial crisis 2008 started there has been an increase in the amount of antidepressants being prescribed
Thomas & Morris (2003) estimated the total cost of depression in adults in England alone was £9.1 billion in 2000
Neuroscientists who help treat/cure these disorders could save the UK billions
Neuroscientists have a responsibility to ensure that the societies in which they work are informed & aware of the implications of their work
Conclusions
Since Phineas Gage the field of NS has increased exponentially
Offered great insight into understanding how the brain works and led to the developments in explanations of both normal & abnormal behaviours -> offers 'stigma free' explanations of behaviour
But when published it becomes accessible to all whether intentions for its use are good/bad
Neuroscientists are not solely responsible for the way their research is used but also the Govs responsibility as well as regulatory bodies & other institutes in society to ensure knowledge is used ethically