Neuroethics: Defining the Issues in Theory, Practice, and Policy

Citation

(2006), "Neuroethics: Defining the Issues in Theory, Practice, and Policy", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2006.06219cae.001

Neuroethics: Defining the Issues in Theory, Practice, and Policy

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Neuroethics: Defining the Issues in Theory, Practice, and Policy

Judy Illes,Oxford University Press,2005ISBN 019856 721 9

Keywords: Ethics, Brain

Neuroethics is rapidly developing into a major field in its own right, as new neuroscientific techniques continue to cast light on human behaviour

This first volume on neuroethics brings together a stellar list of contributors to form a ground-breaking interdisciplinary introduction to the field. It includes forewords from Colin Blakemore and Arthur Caplan.

Recent advances in the brain sciences have dramatically improved our understanding of brain function. As we find out more and more about what makes us tick, we must stop and consider the ethical implications of this new found knowledge. Will having a new biology of the brain through imaging make us less responsible for our behaviour and lose our free will? Should certain brain scan studies be disallowed on the basis of moral grounds? Why is the media so interested in reporting results of brain imaging studies? What ethical lessons from the past can best inform the future of brain imaging?

These compelling questions and many more are tackled by a distinguished group of contributors to this volume on neuroethics. The wide range of disciplinary backgrounds that the authors represent, from neuroscience, bioethics and philosophy, to law, social and health care policy, education, religion and film, allow for profoundly insightful and provocative answers to these questions, and open up the door to a host of new ones. The contributions highlight the timeliness of modern neuroethics today, and assure the longevity and importance of neuroethics for generations to come.

Contents include:

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  Neuroscience, ethics, agency and the self.

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  Neuroethics in practice.

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  Justice, social institutions and neuroethics.