Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Pediatric Populations —– Voices from Typically Developing Children and Adolescents and their Parents
ConclusionsThe study findings show a need for more transparent information about the state of the art of tDCS, its function and what it might be able to offer, especially considering the good acceptability of tDCS. (Source: Neuroethics)
Source: Neuroethics - November 5, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Challenges to the Diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder: Feigning, Intentionality, and Responsibility
AbstractThe diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) requires differentiation from other neurologic diseases/syndromes, and from the comparatively rare diagnosis of feigning (Malingering and Factitious Disorder). Analyzing the process of diagnosing FND reveals a necessary element of presumption, which I propose underlies some of the uncertainty, discomfort, and stigma associated with this diagnosis. A conflict between the neurologist ’s natural social cognition and professional judgement (cognitive dissonance) can be understood by applying a framework originally designed for the determination of moral responsi...
Source: Neuroethics - October 22, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Present and Emerging Ethical Issues with tDCS use: A Summary and Review
AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a brain stimulation technique known for its relative safety and minimal invasiveness. tDCS has demonstrated efficacy as a potential treatment for certain neurological disorders, such as Parkinson ’s disease, and has been shown to enhance a range of cognitive abilities under certain contexts. As a result, this technique has captured the interest of both the research community and the public at large. However, efforts to gather information about the effects of tDCS on the brain are still in their infancy, leading to concerns about informed consent as it pertains to ...
Source: Neuroethics - October 17, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Opportunity Cost or Opportunity Lost: An Empirical Assessment of Ethical Concerns and Attitudes of EEG Neurofeedback Users
ConclusionConcerns regarding opportunity cost, physical and psychological harms, and financial cost are not substantiated by our findings. Our results partially support concerns regarding insufficient understanding of limitations. This study underlines the disconnect between some of the theoretical concerns raised by scholars regarding the use of non-validated therapies and the lived experiences of users. (Source: Neuroethics)
Source: Neuroethics - September 23, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Societal Collapse and Intergenerational Disparities in Suffering
AbstractThe collapse of society is inevitable, even if it is in the distant future. When it collapses, it is likely to do so within the lifetimes of some people. These people will have matured in pre-collapse society, experience collapse, and then live the remainder of their lives in the post-collapse world. I argue that this group of people —the transitional generation—will be the worst off from societal collapse, far worse than subsequent generations. As the transitional generation, they will suffer disparately. This intergenerational disparity in suffering is inequitable. Given that other disparities in suffering ar...
Source: Neuroethics - August 27, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
The Unintended Consequences of Chile ’s Neurorights Constitutional Reform: Moving beyond Negative Rights to Capabilities
Abstract
As scholars envision a new regulatory or statutory neurorights schema it is important to imagine unintended consequences if reforms are implemented before their implications are fully understood. This paper critically evaluates provisions proposed for a new Chilean Constitution and evaluates this movement against efforts to improve the diagnosis of, and treatment for, individuals with disorders of consciousness within the broader context of disability law, international human rights, and a capabilities approach to health justice as advanced by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. Framed in th is way, any neurori...
Source: Neuroethics - August 24, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Engagement, Exploitation, and Human Intracranial Electrophysiology Research
AbstractMotivated by exploitation concerns, we argue for the importance of participant engagement in basic human intracranial electrophysiology research. This research takes advantage of unique neurosurgical opportunities to better understand complex systems of the human brain, but it also exposes participants to additional risks without immediate therapeutic intent. We argue that understanding participant values and incorporating their perspectives into the research process may (i) help determine whether and to what extent research practices and the resulting distributions of risks and benefits constitute exploitation and...
Source: Neuroethics - August 13, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Informal Caregivers of Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: a Qualitative Study of Communication Experiences and Information Needs with Physicians
AbstractDue to improvements in medicine, the figures of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) are increasing. Diagnostics of DoC and prognostication of rehabilitation outcome is challenging but necessary to evaluate recovery potential and to decide on treatment options. Such decisions should be made by doctors and patients ’ surrogates based on medico-ethical principles. Meeting information needs and communicating effectively with caregivers as the patients´ most common surrogate-decision makers is crucial, and challenging when novel tech-nologies are introduced. This qualitative study aims to explore informati...
Source: Neuroethics - July 23, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
The Impossibility of a Moral Right to Privacy
AbstractThis paper clarifies and defends against criticism our argument inUnfit for the Future that there is no moral right to privacy. A right to privacy is conceived as a right that others do not acquire information about us that we reserve for ourselves and selected others. Information acquisition itself is distinguished from the means used to acquire it and the uses to which the information is put. To acquire information is not an action; it is to be caused to be in an internal state. By contrast, means of acquisition and uses of information are actions that can be voluntarily controlled. We can therefore have rights a...
Source: Neuroethics - June 28, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Against Aggression? Revisiting an Overlooked Contender for Moral Bioenhancement
AbstractIn moral bioenhancement (MBE) discourse, aggression has been identified as one potential target of biomedical intervention. Early suggestions that aggression might be modulated to improve moral outcomes were met with strong opposition from those claiming it is impossible to modulate aggression without harming traits of distinct social and agential value. If we are to preclude (or endorse) particular paths to moral enhancement then we ought to establish sound reasons for doing so. However, in paying due consideration to contemporary aggression studies we will see that current efforts to rule out aggression as one su...
Source: Neuroethics - June 16, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Identifying the Presence of Ethics Concepts in Chronic Pain Research: A Scoping Review of Neuroscience Journals
ConclusionMost neuroscience papers do not include a discussion of ethics related to chronic pain conditions. Those that do tend to merely state rather than define or contextualize a particular ethics concept. Given the potential ethical implications of neuroscience research for people living with chronic pain, we argue that to maximize its public health benefit, neuroscience researchers should consider the ethical relevance of their work within their scientific publications. This may generate further ethical reflection within the field, to improve pain management. (Source: Neuroethics)
Source: Neuroethics - June 14, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Towards a Governance Framework for Brain Data
AbstractThe increasing availability of brain data within and outside the biomedical field, combined with the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to brain data analysis, poses a challenge for ethics and governance. We identify distinctive ethical implications of brain data acquisition and processing, and outline a multi-level governance framework. This framework is aimed at maximizing the benefits of facilitated brain data collection and further processing for science and medicine whilst minimizing risks and preventing harmful use. The framework consists of four primary areas of regulatory intervention: binding regu...
Source: Neuroethics - June 3, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Trust and Psychedelic Moral Enhancement
AbstractMoral enhancement proposals struggle to be both plausible and ethically defensible while nevertheless interestingly distinct from both cognitive enhancement as well as (mere) moral education. Brian Earp (Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplement 83:415 –439,12) suggests that a promising middle ground lies in focusing on the (suitably qualified) use of psychedelics asadjuncts to moral development. But what would such an adjunctive use of psychedelics look like in practice? In this paper, I draw on literature from three areas where techniques for moral development have been discussed: psychotherapy (e.g., Overholser...
Source: Neuroethics - May 25, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Review of Walter Glannon ’s The Neuroethics of Memory: From Total Recall to Oblivion, Cambridge University Press, 2019
(Source: Neuroethics)
Source: Neuroethics - May 13, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson ’s Disease: Why Earlier Use Makes Shared Decision Making Important
ConclusionOur findings highlight a variety of important considerations and concerns patients have regarding DBS and its timing. These viewpoints are important aspects of shared decision-making, as they help to identify patients ’ preferences, values, and goals, which should enable providers to better navigate, with their patients, the decision path for therapeutic options to consider. (Source: Neuroethics)
Source: Neuroethics - April 24, 2022 Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research
