Neuroethics: Biomedical, Legal, and Social Implications of Neuroscience

In recent years, the field of neurology has grown rapidly. But, with neurological advancements, more ethical issues arise as we increase our ability to image and modify neuronal activities.
Neuroimaging involves the use of imaging technologies to create scans of living brain tissues. But it is not limited to biomedical uses. It can also be displayed as a form of art. Neuroimaging is often used to visualize morphological characteristics hidden underneath the skin. Artist Marta de Menezes utilized fMRI imaging to visualize regions of the brain that are highlighted when a specific task is performed [1]. Scans obtained from fMRI were used to create functional portraits of many individuals and displayed online for public viewing. However, artists need to be careful when displaying this private information online because recently researchers have been studying the biological foundation of personality using fMRI imaging. There is experimental evidence that neuroimaging data, combined with life history and genetic information, can precisely predict behaviors in many individuals [2]. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous to publicly expose images of neuronal activity in the form of an art. In the future, behavioral trait predictors may negate an individual’s notion of free will in our society.
Neuroimaging also has the potential to be used as a lie detector. Its results are interpreted on the idea that lying requires more cognitive effort and more oxygenated blood [3]. However, it is important to remember that images do not exist in a direct relationship with a behavior. Neuroimaging may help us understand what makes a behavior more tempting, but it does not illustrate criminal intent in individuals. Also memory modifications may make it even trickier to use neuroimaging as a lie detector in criminal court cases. Memory modification technologies (MMTs) have evolved greatly in recent years. MMTs are used to modify neuronal circuits that govern specific memories [4]. These technologies provide many new treatment options for individuals suffering from trauma or phobia. For example, MMTs can be used to erase a traumatic event from an individual’s memory to help them live a healthier life. Or it can be used to alter an individual’s memory to ease their fears or phobias. MMTs can be helpful in many cases but its use has to be regulated in order to avoid any unforeseen negative consequences. It is critical for MMTs to specifically target only certain memories and neurons as to not alter or damage other important memories. Also, guidelines for memory modifications need to be implemented to regulate individuals who can utilize this technology. If an individual commits a criminal act and uses a MMT to erase this memory, criminal court systems would have a hard time determining whether or not this individual was guilty of committing the crime.

Neurological technologies have a myriad of practical applications in real life, but they are governed by their own set of ethical issues. Neurotechnologies have a huge potential for misuse and abuse. For this reason, individuals need to educate themselves to better understand safety and ethical issues concerning MMTs and neuroimaging. With regulations and guidelines, high ethical standards will likely be upheld in the field of neuroscience.

References

1.     De Menezes, Marta. "Functional Portraits." Marta De Menezes. Moshi Moshi, 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

2.     Canli T. When genes and brains unite: ethical implications of genoming neuroimaging. Neuroethics: Defining the Issues in Theory, Practice, and Policy (J Illes, ed.). New York: Oxford University Press; 2006, p. 175.

3.     Illes, J. A fish story? Brain maps, lie detection, and personhood. Cerebrum. 2004 Fall; 6(4):73-80.

4.     Liao, S. Matthew, and Anders Sandberg. "The Normativity of Memory Modification." Neuroethics 1.2 (2008): 85-99. Web.