Biological debate

Question 1

INTRO

Answer 1

• Neuroscience = study of the human nervous system
• debate = whether practical applications gained through neuroscientific research are acceptable in terms of the ethical implications
• consider how info could be misused

Question 2

ETHICAL: TREATING CRIMINALS

Answer 2

• drugs could ‘treat’ criminals to reduce reoffending and make society safe
• Cherek - researched impulsivity + aggression
  Half received placebo, half received Paroxetine for 21 days
  paroxetine (antidepressant) reduced impulsive behaviour in men with history of aggression

Question 3

UNETHICAL: TREATING CRIMINALS

Answer 3

• Crime is response to the social context
• Farah - interventions signal denial of free will + control of behaviour = restricts natural emotions and feelings
• Court may also offer treatment or prison sentence (implicit coercion)
• Carter - can mentally ill make decisions regarding treatment

Question 4

ETHICAL: TDC

Answer 4

• Improve performance in complex academic tasks
• TDC’s = small electric current passed across area of brain
• Kadosh - improvement in math’s, language, memory and exam prep
• Students already neuro enhance through caffeine etc.

Question 5

UNETHICAL: TDC

Answer 5

• Kadosh - warns ethical limits to TDC’s e.g. no training/licensing rules for practicioners = poorly trained clinicians or brain damage
• TDC’s not available for everyone, more available to the wealthier = divisions in society + unfair
• Performance enhancement banned in sport
• Little known about long-term effects of use of neurological interventions

Question 6

ETHICAL: NEUROMARKETING

Answer 6

• EEG’s can be used to record true responses to adverts, avoid social desirability bias
• Neuroscience can analyse neurological responses to what attracts people
• Sands research used this for VW advert
• Doug Van Praet - ad = sales for car + successful

Question 7

UNETHICAL: NEUROMARKETING

Answer 7

• Accessing consumer preferences isnt new e.g. tesco clubcard
• Wilson - free will is manipluated, invasion of privacy and subconsciously controlling our decisions
• nelson - Neuromarketing firms dont need to follow ethical guidelines e.g. 5% of the brain scans recorded by marketing firms had ‘incidental findings’

Question 8

CONC

Answer 8

• neuroscientists/publishers are responsible for making sure its used ethically
• It can be used to help treat those who have psychological disorders or for those who are in prison
• It can be beneficial for society