Contemporary Debates: Biological Approach: Ethics of Neuroscience

Question 1

Some neuroscientists claim that murderers can now be identified by their brain structure. Using psychological knowledge, discuss the ethics of neuroscience including its social implications.

Answer 1

This debate is linked to the biological approach. However, the materials used in the responses may be taken from any approach and perspective within psychology. Some reference could also be made to economic and political evidence (as long as it is explicitly linked to the psychological issue).

Credit could be given for description of:
 Therapeutic use.
 Eugenics.
 Moral responsibility.
 Thought crime.
 Credence given to brain imaging.
 Credit can be given for specific studies, e.g. Raine et al (1997 ).
 Freewill.
 Neuro-marketing.
 Animal research.
 Side Effects.
 Consciousness.
 Any other appropriate material.

Question 2

What are the 4 reasons why neuroscience can be argued to be ethical?

Answer 2

• Understand Consciousness
• Treat Criminal Behaviour
• Enhance neurological function
• Improve marketing technique

Question 3

Explain “Understand Consciousness” as an argument for the ethics of neuroscience.

Answer 3

State
* Crick and Koch proposed that the claustrum, which is a thin sheet of neurones in the centre of the brain is the seat of the consciousness.
* Claustrum combines information from distinct brain regions.

Explain:
* This knowledge help make decisions about patients who are in a vegetative state. The decision to end life could be based on knowledge whether they are conscious or not.

Example:
* 54 year old woman suffered severe epilepsy. During tests of her brain, electrode near claustrum electrically stimulated and she entered a blank state. When stimulation stopped, she regained consciousness.

Question 4

Explain “Treat Criminal Behaviour” as an argument for the ethics of neuroscience.

Answer 4

State
* Criminal justice system is able to rehabilitate offenders because behaviour stems from abnormal neurotransmitter levels.

Explain:
* Drugs can be used to treat criminals. By offering phramacoloical treatment, society can be made safer by reducing recividism.

Example:
* Cherek investigated impulsivity and aggression in males with criminal track record. Half recieved a placebo and other half received an SSRI. Those in experimental group showed decrease in aggression and impulsivity.

Question 5

Explain “Enhance neurological function” as an argument for the ethics of neuroscience.

Answer 5

State
* It can be used to improve abilities of normal individuals in academic tasks.

Explain:
* Improve performance in day to day tasks such as in academic settings to further human capabilities.

Example:
* TDCS or Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation involves passing a small elecric current across specific region of brain. It was found to lead to improvements in problem solving, language, memory and attention. CAn be used before exams.

Question 6

Explain “Enhance neurological function” as an argument for the ethics of neuroscience.

Answer 6

State
* Neuromarketing. We can understand better what customers are attracted towards, without effect of social desirability bias.

Explain:
* Social desirability bias can be avoided to provide objective evidence of what catches one’s eye to produce better advertising and have economic benefit.

Example:
* EEG can be used to analyse neurological responses by tracking eye movement. Sands research used this is ‘The Force’ advert. It upped traffic to the VW website by half and contributed to successful sales.

Question 7

Explain “Understand Consciousness” as an argument against the ethics of neuroscience.

Answer 7

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