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There is an interesting new conference report/commentary on Medscape by Sara M. Mariani, MD, PhD from the recent Annual Meeting of the American Society of Neuroscience. The title is "Neuroethics: How To Leave the Cave Without Going Astray." The article discusses a special Dana Alliance Lecture on Neuroethics given by Donald Kennedy, Editor in Chief of Science and points out that 'neuroscientists, like geneticists and nuclear physicists before them, are becoming more and more aware of the potential implications of their research. Biologic determinism, individual freedom, discrimination, and social responsibility are issues that have accompanied the scientific and medical community for more than a century, but they are acquiring almost urgent connotations in the past few years, with the astounding progress made in molecular medicine.'
Topics briefly discussed in the article include:
Freedom of Research -- Freedom of Speech
Knowledge, Responsibility, and Action
Enhancement of Cognitive Functions
Neuroeconomics and Manipulation
Protection of Patients' Rights
Brainome, Identity, and Privacy
It is important, however that a frank and clear discussion of neuroethics took place at this meeting which as Dr. Mariani points out "might seem more appropriate for a convention of philosophers than one of neuroscientists." These issues have come to the forefront of science and medicine. 'There are many questions that still need to be answered from a scientific, medical, and forensic standpoint; and the ethical quandaries that will face our societies in the years to come. Translational researchers with clinical backgrounds are being actively sought in a number of specialties.'
The article asks, what should the next step be? Should we be training ethicists with science and medical backgrounds to guide us through this evolution? This is already in progress and many valuable discussions have been underway for some time. If you are interested in this area and wish to learn more, some of the best discussions take place on the Corante weblogs particularly at BrainWaves but some of the others are noteworthy such as The Living Code and The Loom.
Additional Resources
The Journal of Bioethics
Cerebrum
The Grutner Institute
International Brain Research Organization
Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics
10:32:05 AM 
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