neuroscience is ethical

• sections

  • enhance brain function
  • understanding criminal behavior
  • consciousness
• for debate - enhance brain functioning

  • TDCS = transcranial direct current stimulation = anode stimulates area while cathode inhibits = to improve cognitive abilities and disorders
  • kadosh = TDCS improves maths, problem solving, language, attention and memory
  • meta analysis of 6 studies = 289 patients when antidepressants didn't work = improved with TDCS
• against debate - enhance brain functioning

  • cadaver = only 9% of electric current reached brain tissue (lacks population validity as dead)
  • cheap but some cant afford = unfair society eg. drugs in sports = cheating
  • no research on effects on underdeveloped brains = under 25 = exam takers
• for debate - understanding criminal behaviour

  • raine = pet scans NGRI vs control = murderers = less activity in pre frontal cortex, corpus callosm and left angular gyrus
  • coccaro = those with intermittent explosive disorder = higher amygdala activity
  • chereck = SSRIs antidepressants = reduce impulsivity in males with a history of aggression
• against debate - understanding criminal behaviours

  • Farrah = offenders denied right to freedom but have always retained control over their bodies
  • no regulations over brain scans in court = can be used as an excuse
• for debate - consciousness

  • crich and koch = consciousness lies in the claustrum = neutrons in brain
  • owens = asked vegetative state patient to imagine playing tennis and mother cortex was active = less people withdrawn from life support
• against debate - consciousness

  • moral right to determine life support and withdrawal
  • developments in technology may improve and show other signs of consciousness
• implications

  • reduce offending costs = £9.5bn
  • improve work force and economy
  • less crime = safer
  • should we mess with peoples brains