Neuroethics: Defining the issues in theory, practice, and policy
Judy Illes
Abstract
Recent advances in the brain sciences have dramatically improved our understanding of brain function. As we find out more and more about what makes us tick, we must stop and consider the ethical implications of this new found knowledge. Will having a new biology of the brain through imaging make us less responsible for our behavior and lose our free will? Should certain brain scan studies be disallowed on the basis of moral grounds? Why is the media so interested in reporting results of brain imaging studies? What ethical lessons from the past can best inform the future of brain imaging? These ... More
Recent advances in the brain sciences have dramatically improved our understanding of brain function. As we find out more and more about what makes us tick, we must stop and consider the ethical implications of this new found knowledge. Will having a new biology of the brain through imaging make us less responsible for our behavior and lose our free will? Should certain brain scan studies be disallowed on the basis of moral grounds? Why is the media so interested in reporting results of brain imaging studies? What ethical lessons from the past can best inform the future of brain imaging? These compelling questions and many more are tackled by a group of contributors to this book on neuroethics. The wide range of disciplinary backgrounds that this book represents, from neuroscience, bioethics and philosophy, to law, social and health care policy, education, religion, and film, allow for profoundly insightful and provocative answers to these questions, and open up the door to a host of new ones. The contributions highlight the timeliness of modern neuroethics today, and assure the longevity and importance of neuroethics for generations to come.
Keywords:
brain function,
ethical implications,
free will,
brain imaging studies,
ethical lessons
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2004 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780198567219 |
| Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: September 2009 |
DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567219.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Judy Illes, editor
Senior Research Scholar and Director, Program for Neuroethics, Center for Biomedical Ethics; Senior Research Scholar, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, California, USA
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