Is neuroethics a field?

In my opinion, neuroethics is a new field. I am aware that in academic world sometimes fields are just a deliberated attempt to create a “space of my own”, a comfortable setting from where scholars can demonstrate expertise. However, I don’t think this is the case when talking about neuroethics.

Neuroethics, as a field, is focusing on the analysis of ethical issues generated by neuroscientific research and trials. It has been discussing social, legal and cultural aspects of neuroscientific agenda, topics with a considerable burden of specialized knowledge. It is necessary to concentrate and establish an entire field, mainly because dealing with cerebral aspects of human behavior is, to some extent, dealing to human nature itself.

One can argue, wittily, that we also have ethical issues involving other medical situations, like liver transplants and organ donations, but it wasn’t necessary to create a liver-ethics. Very few would dare to say that we are our livers or that we have seem something like a liver-decade.

Why creating a neuro-ethics?

Neuroethics, along with genetics, for adding another variable in out debate, involves our idea of identity and that’s why it can consider itself a field. Probably, a bioethics sub-field, but still a field.

What about international biolaw? International Biolaw is part of international legal discussing focusing on biological issues. We must be careful, otherwise we would be calling international environmental law as international biolaw, and don’t think this is the best use for term biolaw. Maybe it would be more appropriate to talk about international bioethics law…

During our first week, we are going to read introductory articles about neuroethics. All articles you are going to access are free. After reading the articles, you need to write posts on course’s blog, answering the questions proposed below. You are free to make comments about your colleagues’ posts and to raise your own questions as well. In fact, proposing new questions is strongly recommended and encouraged. Don’t be shy. We are trying to learn from each other, our course is advancing an entire new field (we are connecting two emerging fields indeed) and every insight is precious. I’ll try to answer those questions during  the week, organize the discussion and propose new topics. Remember: course’s blog is also your blog. Feel free to add new posts if you have something interesting to say about either neuroethics or international biolaw.
We are also going to use a chat room to discuss some ideas, present ourselves and contact each other.  Our first section will be probably on September 10. I’ll let you know about it.
Welcome to P2P University and have a nice day!

Cordially,
Ana Rosa Amorim
Course organizer.

Week 1: Neuroethics: An emerging field

Objective: Provide an overall perspective on Neuroethics.

Assignments: - Post entries to your blog, answering each one of the questions proposed below.

- Create an wiki page, jointly with your colleagues, presenting brain imaging methods and its relations to Neuroethics.

Questions:

1)    Is it appropriate to start talking about a neurocentric age?

2)    How the emergence of new neurocientific techniques has provoked bioethical issues?

3)    Are we our brains? Are all bioethical issues nothing but neuroethical issues?

4)    How do cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging contribute to neuroethics field?