January 01, 2007
Meeting of the Minds
>"... unique exercise involving the general public in a discussion on cutting-edge science."
37 recommendations Europeans came up with when they gathered to talk about brain science
Even if psychosurgery, cognitive enhancement, and behavioral control threaten to change the very notion of human identity, public discussion of the subject has been muted. Issues such as genetics and nanotechnology have provoked committees, reports, and regulations, but brain research has remained in the background of the public consciousness.
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One specific ethical concern is that brain imaging could lead to the invasion of privacy, including medical records, potential predispositions to disorders, and even, potentially, privacy of thought. The legal right to remain silent, for example, could be made irrelevant by advances in brain science. Thus the citizens recommend "imposing an informed consent regulation for brain imaging techniques. These techniques should be prohibited for use by the police, or in judicial investigations, or for public security reasons."
"The brain represents our identity, personality, and mind," say the citizens, and that is why they want to be involved in the regulation of brain research and treatment. They "recommend that research universities, science organizations, and pharmaceutical companies organize citizen participation at regional, national, and EU level[s] to give feedback on their research work." They found during their meetings that "scientists often appreciate hearing the opinions of lay people...
article: http://www.the-scientist.com/2006/10/1/28/1/
>37 recommendations on brain science 'home' (with link to pdf report )
http://www.meetingmindseurope.org/europe_default_site.aspx?SGREF=14
[photo not from above links]