Naslov
New Tools for Neuroenhancement - Neuroethical Issues

Autori
Erhardt, Julija ; Švob Štrac, Dubravka

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Bioethics in the Future Technicization of the Man or Humanization of the Science / Jeličić, A. ; Hrgović, J. ; Vuletić, S. - , 2015, 20-20

Skup
12th International Scientific Confernce of the International Society for Clinical Bioethics

Mjesto i datum
Bol, Hrvatska, 21.09.2015. - 22.09.2015

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Bioethics ; neuroethics ; neuroenhancemnt ; TMS ; DCS

Sažetak
Advances in neuroscience and technology brought us several methods that have potential to non-pharmacologically improve mood, cognition, creativity, etc. In parallel, advances in functional brain imaging have brought us progress in knowledge about relevant brain regions that need to be targeted to induce changes in motor, sensory, cognitive or emotional functioning. The methods with the greatest potential for non-pharmacological brain enhancement with effects on lifting mood, boosting creativity, cognitive functions, etc., in both a medical and non-medical environment are transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). TMS involves stimulation of the brain by a magnetic field, with the potential to focus and selectively treat relatively narrow areas. tDCS is used for electric stimulation of the cortex with low currents. It is a low-cost, easy to use technique that can modify cerebral excitability. It has been reported for both techniques to have some favourable results on cognition and mood. However, no brain stimulation technique with a power to affect, change and/or treat can be without the power to harm. Today we understand very little about the mechanism of action of these technologies, a fact that did not stop their spreading and increased commercial use. Today's omnipresent technology cocoon that man has been immersed into, has blunted our critical thinking towards new devices and instruments causing us to be accepting of the implicit coercion that technology possess. A promise of a better life that that enhancement could possibly bring weighs heavily against a reasonable and slow approach to the use of these technologies and it is not likely that we will have the capacity to slow down their uncontrollable use. Other than the ethical consideration relating to safety, the issues about the character, justice and autonomy related to the non-medical use of these technologies will be discussed.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Psihologija, Filozofija

POVEZANOST RADA