Biological debate

Question 1

Ethical- criminal behaviour

Answer 1

Cherek et al (2002) Paroxetine- an SSRI antidepressant- shown to reduce levels of impulsivity and aggression in males with history of conduct disorder. 50% given paroxetine and 50% control given a placebo over 21 days

Question 2

unethical- criminal behaviour

Answer 2

Farah (2004) stated that courts using neurological interventions- such as paroxetine- as alternatiev to prison sentence, could signal denial of individual freedom- right to own thoughts/emotions/control. unthical considering valid consent- implicit coercion?

Question 3

Ethical- neuroehancement

Answer 3

Kadosh et al 2012, found it can improve problem solving, as well as mathematical, language and attention capabilities. Eg, TDCS passes small electrical current to brain areas. Harvard health article 2023 found in a randomised trial of 64 adults with ADHD, improved attention after 30 minutes of TDCS daily for a month.

Question 4

Unethical- neuroenhancement

Answer 4

Kadosh et al also warns of ethical limitations, such as when used in academic setting to enhance exam performance, unfair advantage against peers.
Economic implication- expensive= less accessible
eg, FlowNeuroscience charge $459, or clinics where 10 sessions may cost around $1600

Question 5

ethical- neurotechnology

Answer 5

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been used as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease when symptoms have no longer been well controlled by medication. Research has found it can have a number of benefits, such as controlling movement for a longer period of time than medication would, relieve symptoms such as pain and sleep disturbances.

Question 6

unethical- neurotechnology

Answer 6

Neuralink, a brain implant company developed by Elon Musk- especially after being approved for human testing. With Elon Musk’s end goal being to create a “general population device” one neuroethicist has raised concerns for his attention to ethical considerations “Or will he just treat this like another gadget”. Ethical considerations are suggested to be of extreme importance after it was reported in 2022 that the testing of neuralink has killed 1,500 animals.