BIOLOGICAL DEBATE 'IS NEUROSCIENCE ETHICAL' Flashcards
1
Q
ETHICAL: TREATING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
A
- criminal behaviour can be resolved by drugs to stabilize imbalance of neurotransmitters
- CHEREK ET AL gave half placebos and another half an SSRI antidepressant, he found reduced impulsivity n those who took the SSRI
- ethical as it makes society a better/safer place as fewer people will be reoffending
2
Q
UNETHICAL: TREATING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
A
- crime has a social context
- if there is a neurological basis is it right to have mandatory neurological interventions in prison
- FARAH said this leads to the denial of freedom as prisoners are denied freedom as we change their personalities
- unethical as we treat them like neuro-citizens/ lab rats for the government to manipulate
3
Q
ETHICAL: UNDERSTANDING THE CONSCIOUSNESS
A
- CRICK AND KOCH found that the claustrum is the seat of consciousness, & theoretically if stimulated the person will go unconscious
- KOUBEISSI ET AL said it’ll help us makes decisions on individuals in vegetative states
- this is ethical because it allows us to sketch a neurological picture of the brains chemical functions
4
Q
UNETHICAL: UNDERSTANDING THE CONSCIOUSNESS
A
- KOUBEISSI ET AL said that this is very controversial as doctors should not have the choice to remove life support
- evidence can not be generalised as the woman was 44 with arthritis
- if the doctor can not find consciousness then the decision should lie on the family to turn off life support
- unethical as the doctors are playing god, dictating if people live or not & they also breed non-human specimens to understand the consciousness
5
Q
ETHICAL: ENHANCING NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION
A
- improves academic performances (TDC’S)
- KADOSH ET AL -stated that TDC’S improves problem-solving
- neuroenhancing is not new as students use caffeine-based products to improve focus
- ethical cause more skilled workers, therefore, creating more jobs
6
Q
UNETHICAL: ENHANCING NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION
A
- KADOSH ET AL said TDCS is dangerous as no training is needed, so can lead to administering ineffective treatment
- the technology is only available to those who can afford it
- unethical as it does not allow an equal playing field & neurostimulation can cause brain damage
