Biological Flashcards
(8 cards)
Intro
Phineas Gage incident
Doctors investigating neuroanatomy
Development of neuroscience
Complex nature
Misuse? Autonomy, human rights
FOR:
Treatment of criminals and addicts
Linked to neurotransmitters
Drugs = “treat”
e.g. Antabuse
Furthermore, Cherek et al = levels of impulsivity & aggression in males with history of crim beh
Half placebo, half SSRI (sig decrease)
Reduce crime rates = safer
Less money spent on prisons
Ethical issue with placebo
AGAINST:
Treatment of criminals and addicts
Crime = response to social context
Acceptable to include mandatory neurological interventions?
Farah: denies free will
Unethical: devalues human behaviour
Avoid being arrested? Increase from behaviour? -> harder to convict
FOR:
Enhancement of neurological function
TDCS’s ( small electrical current across regions of the brain ) enhance performance
Improvements in problem solving, mathematical, language, memory and attention capabilities
Education improvement
Economy benefit
Tertiary jobs
Increase quality of life
AGAINST:
Enhancement of neurological function
No training / licensing rules
Poorly trained practitioners
Ineffective treatment? Further damage?
Not available to everyone
Unfair & cause inequality in society
Friction in society
Unfair advantage
FOR:
Potential to cure disease
Dr Z Wang: modern imaging of brain = helped in treatments for brain disorders
More likely to get correct treatment
e.g. treatment of Parkinson’s
Increase amount of working people
Economy
AGAINST:
Potential to cure disease
Many side effects
NHS: SSRI’s -> nausea, insomnia, dizziness
May have to miss work/school
Cause setbacks in life
Damage mental health
Conclusion
Neuroscience= great insights not possible until now
Is ethical
Societal and economic benefits
Could be seen as unethical: some may use the technology to have a negative impact
