Nuerobiological Debate Flashcards
What is nueroscience?
the study of the nervous system with primary focus on brain, including research on how brain affects behaviour
What did Meiamed(1969) find?
Believed that when deciding ethics, cost vs benefit analysis should be considered. If costs outweigh the benefits, then neuroscience can be considered unethical
How can nueroscience be considered ethical reducing nhs costs?
In 2015 9.1 billion spent on treatment of depression
23 billion on treatment of Alzhermiers
Unlike 11.5 million spent on research of mental health illnesses, which is insufficient funding to producing a cure for illnesses
Successful treatment from neuroscience is DBS developed by Mayberg(2006)
Area 25 discovered allowing depressed people to have normal lives once treated which is ethical for their well being
Average cost in america for DBS?
30,000-50,000
What is unethical with the cost of DBS in america?
It’s not accessible to all due to the expenses. This leads to the creation of separation where only rich can access the best treatment, creating further stigmentation adn worsening of mental health.
Mayberg(2006) study of DBS was only on 6 people, meaning that its hard to conclude if DBS is effective in treating depression as depression is reactive meaning its scewed by ones environment
If so nueroscicne wouldn’t help them, this is called biological determinism meaning that it’s only biological factors affecting mental health disorders therefore unethical.
How can nueroscience be seen as unethical due to being ‘‘socially sensitive’’?
Studies such as crane(1997) and Lindstorn(2008) raised sensitive issues.
Studies that are socially sensitive lead to many social implications.
It creates us vs them society.
Olds and Miller(1950) discovered the area of the brain associated with . This is problematic as it can be used as justification to discriminate against others as they are physically different.
Linstron(2008) found amygdala was over-reactive in gay men, these results imply that be can ‘‘fix’’ this by operating and therefore reducing homosexual urges which can be seen unethical.
Raine(1997) also found that frontal lobes are under active in violent criminals, these resulkts are at risk of being used as justification for criminal behaviour. Example, dysfunction in frontal lobe=excuse behaviour due to being physically different. This doesn’t mean that all people with brain abnormalities of criminals will be one as can be seen with james fallon, who showed that violent criminal behaviour is due to upbringing and biology
How can Raine(1997) research considered ethical?
It proposes treatment options. Can be used to identify which criminals are likely to recommit.
Cherek(2002) measured levels of impulsivity using a placebo and real antidepressants on convicted criminals. Gave half the placebo and other half antidepressants. After 21 days ones given antidepressants shown reduced impulsivity.
However, it can be argued if criminals can provide valid consent as many opting to psychological treatment to avoid jail. Criminals would also disregard any side effects to avoid prison. This is unethical as participants need to provide valid consent so they can have the right to withdraw.
What is neuromarketing?
Study of how people ‘s brains respond to advertisement and is a sector of nueroscience
How is neuromarketing ethical?
It can be considered ethical as it avoids social desirability bias, which is when participants do or say something which they know the researcher would favour. During neuromarketing research participants brain scans are able to detect theoretical thoughts.
Harnes(2013) found that 95% of information is processed unconsciously so it can be deemed ethical as less risk of potential harm.
How is neuromarketing unethical?
It can be a form of manipulation that is invasive and potentially damaging. If an advertisment targeted a mother’s fear of children in poverty it has the ability to cause harm which is unethical. It can manipulate people into buying products they do not newsccesarily need which can result in debt and financial; problems.
Neuromarketing is not bound by any ethics committee.
Nelson(2008) foudn that in 5% of all scans conducted that they identified other dysfucnyion such as tumours. As it’s not bound by ethics committee, reserachers do not have to tell the person this information. Which is extremly unethical as such information could solve one’s life.
Conclude the information
In conclusion, I believe the costs outweigh the benefits due to the risk of both physical and psychological harm, therefore being unethical. However, Neuromakrteing in the modern world now has been bound by ethics committee making sure that any life dangering findings are reported back to the person.
