(14) Unit 2 - Ethics of Neuroscience - Biological Approach Contemporary Debate (copy)

What is neuroscience?

The science of understanding brain structure and function to explain behaviour and personality. Its practical applications are understanding neurological impairment, understanding causes of criminal behaviour and prevention, improving neurological functioning and more.

What is the issue at the heart of the debate?

Whether the practical implications, gained through neuroscientific research, are acceptable in terms of the ethical implications that arise through their use and creation. We also have to consider how such information could be misused, and whether we create further inequalities within society as a result of such research.

What research could be used to suggest that neuroscience is ethical in terms of understanding Alzheimer’s?

In 2004, the World Wide Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (WW-ADNI) was established to predict and monitor the onset of the disease by sharing data across the world.

In terms of economic implications, would WW-ADNI’s research be viewed as ethical?

There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, meaning that it could be considered unethical not to research due to the need. It would be economically beneficial for a cure to be found as it costs the UK government £26 billion a year to fund treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Therefore it would be seen as __________ beneficial to research and gain an understanding of Alzheimer’s.

In terms of social implications, would WW-ADNI’s research be viewed as ethical?

Coping with a degenerative brain disease is much different than dealing with a physical disability and has a greater impact on the family. Alzheimer's and dementia care also has high financial, social and emotional cost which could cause conflicts.

Therefore, research could be seen as ______ beneficial as it would reduce the impact of mental illnesses on families, making care and treatment more accessible.

In terms of cultural implications, would WW-ADNI’s research be viewed as ethical?

There are concerns surrounding the validity of diagnostic criteria in uneducated, multiethnic and multicultural populations which have not been adequately raised or addressed that may result in misdiagnosis of age-related impairment.

Therefore, their research could be viewed as _______ flawed due to potential biases in diagnosing Alzheimer's across diverse populations.

Why could research into understanding Alzheimer’s be viewed as unethical?

Participants may not have the capacity to consent due to them being cognitively impaired. The extensive trials that are required to create new drugs may also be seen as unethical as participants may be at risk of psychological harm where they will be hopeful for a cure but may be let down, especially since there has been no new FDA approved drug since 2003 as Pfizer have abandoned dementia research.

Nevertheless, there are ethical guidelines in place by the charity Alzheimer UK to ensure as little harm as possible comes to the participants.

What research could be used to suggest that neuroscience is ethical in terms of understanding and preventing criminal behaviour?

Raine et al’s (1997) ‘Brain Abnormalities in Murderers’.

In 1997, Raine summarised brain abnormalities of murderers pleading NGRI. He PET scanned 41 murderers who plead NGRI and compared the results to health controls. Raine found that murderers had asymmetrical activity in the hippocampus, amygdala and angular gyrus, all areas associated with violence which suggest a biological predisposition.

In terms of economic implications, would Raine’s research be viewed as ethical?

It costs £33,291 per prisoner. This means that if there was a mass imprisonment of all those with brain abnormalities, this would be extremely expensive, but there would be fewer court trials to sentence people as the PET scans could be used as a diagnostic technique, although Raine said that PET scans cannot be seen in this way.

Therefore, it could be suggested that this would be unethical as Raine himself says that biology alone does not determine violence but rather a combination of environmental, social and economic factors must also be taken into account, hence why PET scans should not be used a diagnostic technique.

In terms of social implications, would Raine’s research be viewed as ethical?

Biological predisposition does not mean that participants will commit crimes but rather that they are more likely. By using Raine’s research as evidence of criminality, this would create an unfair justice system.

Therefore suggesting that this would be viewed as unethical.

What research suggests that medication could be a cost-effective solution that would be socially and economically beneficial?

Cherek et al (2002).

Treated males with a history of impulsivity and aggression with an SSRI or a placebo for 21 days. Those treated showed significantly less impulsivity and aggression, suggesting that it could be a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism.

In terms of cultural implications, would Raine’s research be viewed as ethical?

Certain cultures may be more violent which may create a social divide.

Therefore, this implies that this would divide society based on culture or nationality with some demographics being biologically predisposed to violent behaviour, leading to mass imprisonments of certain cultures.

Why could research into understanding and preventing criminal behaviour be viewed as unethical?

there may be an extremely unfair justice system that does not account for environmental influences.

Thought cannot be determined, meaning that although brain activity is detected, this does not show what the participant is thinking about.

This therefore shows that Raine’s research cannot ethically be used to understand neuroscience due to the negative impact this would have on the judicial system, meaning that medicine is the most ethical way of treating criminality.

What research could be used to suggest that neuroscience is ethical in terms of improving neurological function?

Duke University’s School of Medicine (2019) research into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).

in 2019, Duke University’s School of Medicine studied 29 people, aged 18 or over who were tasked with trying to remember and reproduce a series of letters in alphabetical order. Researchers either applied 5Hz high frequency TMS or a placebo like sham over the left prefrontal cortex, responsible for higher executive function, and found that participants who received TMS preformed better than those who didn’t.

In terms of economic implications, would Duke University’s research be viewed as ethical?

This would reduce side effects of illnesses like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s that cost the government £42 billion a year, but TMS is expensive to produce where one course costs between $6,000 - $12,000.

Therefore, this could be considered _________ beneficial as it would reduce government spending on care facilities and workers for people suffering with illnesses such as these, but if the government were to finance TMS for all sufferers, this too would be extremely costly but patients may have a better quality of life and require less care going forward.

In terms of social and cultural implications, would Duke University’s research be viewed as ethical?

TMS could be used in education to improve focus and memory, thus creating a more skilled workforce, but due to its expense, there may be a social divide where the job market would prefer workers who could afford these.

Therefore, this could be seen as having both positive and negative aspects as TMS could support learners and the workforce, but it may cause disruptions and divides also, and perhaps even an uneven playing field in regards to getting jobs.

Why could research into improving neurological function be viewed as unethical?

Although the shocks are unharmful and safe to use, users could become dependent and there are no long-term studies to verify whether they are still effective or what side effects there may be. The government could also use TMS to manipulate and brainwash the population due to a lack of regulations which could lead to psychological warfare.

Therefore, this suggests that TMS could be viewed as unethical in most ways as it could be used to control citizens, however, there are many benefits that should not be ignored!