Articles

Cerebrum 2004

Home Cerebrum 2004
Cerebrum

Neuroethics: A Guide for the Perplexed

If everything we do results from purely mechanistic events in our brains, what does that say about human consciousness, spirituality, free will, and moral responsibility?

By: Martha J. Farah, Ph.D.

Cerebrum

Introduction: The Brain’s Special Status

In his introduction to this special issue of Cerebrum, Harvard provost Steven Hyman writes that the brain raises weighty issues deserving the focus created by the concept of neuroethics: The time for broad ethical discussions related to brain science is upon us.

By: Steven E. Hyman, M.D.

Cerebrum

Seeking More Goodly Creatures

Ironically, child “enhancing” genetic technologies would only be the latest variation among practices that have been employed, even cherished, throughout history.

By: Henry T. Greely, J.D.

Cerebrum

Everyday Neuromorality

Neuroimaged views of our brains, aside from their medical value, could, in principle, pose challenges to our senses of freedom and moral responsibility, and render us easily manipulable. But we are not so frail, either personally or socially. Self-control, whether exercised in our individual choices or our informed responses to others’ agendas, is likely to continue to prevail.

By: Adina Roskies, Ph.D.

Cerebrum

Memory: Pandora’s Hippocampus?

Our ability to intervene—not only to treat the ill but also to build up the healthy—is becoming increasingly likely as neuroscience progresses. Memory in particular could be a prime target for biological intervention. But unless we proceed wisely, altering memory could become a Pandora’s Box of unintended consequences and abuse.

By: John D.E. Gabrieli, Ph.D.

Cerebrum

Ethical Issues in Taking Neuroscience Research from Bench to Bedside

Neuroscientists should be willing to engage in meaningful dialogue with non-scientists regarding their work’s ethical and legal implications.

By: Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D.

Cerebrum

New Neuroscience, Old Problems

Legal Implications of Brain Science

Neuroscience discoveries that increase our understanding and control of human behavior are being closely watched by professionals in the justice system. So far, the established notions of personhood and responsibility that underlie our morals, politics, and law have absorbed the new findings. But future neuroscience discoveries could change discrete evidentiary practices and doctrines and might well raise profound challenges to civil liberties.

By: Stephen J. Morse, J.D., Ph.D.

Cerebrum

Shall We Enhance? A Debate

A leading bioethicist squares off with a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics on the controversy about pursuing better brains with a little help from biotechnology.

By: Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., Paul R. McHugh, M.D.

Cerebrum

DARPA on Your Mind

Current research at the intersection of neuroscience and national security might one day produce weapons that literally boggle (or, if desired, enhance) the mind. This would give us unprecedented war-fighting superiority as well as a set of ethical dilemmas that could make genetically-modified-organism issues pale in comparison.

By: Jonathan D. Moreno, Ph.D.

Cerebrum

A Fish Story? Brain Maps, Lie Detection, and Personhood

Despite progress in technologies such as “brain fingerprinting” and functional magnetic resonance imaging, neuroscientific lie detection is still a long way from commercial reality. For such a capability to be more than a sophisticated form of polygraphy, we must carefully work out our scientific concepts about deception and develop a better understanding of how minds work.

By: Judy Illes, Ph.D.

displaying page
of 3

Explore More

Sign up for monthly email updates on neuroscience & society topics, grants, and upcoming events

Subscribe