Neuro Ethics*
Time: 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
Description
Advances in knowledge of basic and clinical neuroscience as well as breakthroughs in technology have enabled novel and increasingly sophisticated opportunities for both understanding and interacting with the human nervous system. Harnessing these emerging capabilities presents tremendous opportunity for treating disease and improving well-being, but it also raises serious ethical considerations that have real impact on individual and societal priorities. This session will describe some of the ethical challenges presented by advances in cellular and organoid models, neural networks, behavior surveillance, and neuromodulation.
Objectives
Discuss the opportunities presented by advances in technology as they relate to normal brain function and disease states.
Apply technology to enhance our understanding of brain function, improve symptoms of brain illness, and protect confidentiality and autonomy.
Speakers
Disability and Neurotechnology
DescriptionThe practice of neurology is essentially concerned with disability; however, we neurologists receive very little training in disability theory or disability studies. This gap can undermine our work in caring for and advocating on behalf of our patients with disabilities. This talk will consider recent and ongoing work on developing neurotechnologies to address disability, and will address how this work can be informed by disability perspectives.
SpeakersThe Neuro Ethics of Deep Brain Stimulation
DescriptionThis talk will review the ethical issues of deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure that modulates neural activity in specific brain regions with electrical pulses. DBS can provide significant relief for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders, but it also poses challenges such as balancing risks and benefits, respecting autonomy and consent, protecting privacy and confidentiality, promoting social justice and equity, and regulating research and innovation. Here we will review the current and future prospects of DBS and propose some ethical principles and guidelines for the responsible and transparent use of DBS, based on the best available evidence and the values of the stakeholders.
Speakers