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Neuroethical Responsibilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Eric Racine  and
Judy Illes
Eric Racine*
Affiliation:
Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
Judy Illes
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
*
Neuroethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montreal (IRCM), Office 1535, 110, Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7.
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Abstract:

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Neuroscience represents a dynamic area of biomedical research where neuroethical responsibilities for researchers are emerging. This paper is the companion piece to the French-language one also published in this issue of the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. It serves as a review of recent advances in neuroethics through the lens of three cases: (1) incidental finding of anomalies in neuroimaging research; (2) creation of neurotechnologies that can lead to cognitive enhancement, and (3) responsible communication of research results. We propose and discuss a multidimensional framework of neuroethical responsibilities to help tackle these issues. The framework reiterates the fundamental role of scientific integrity, puts in the foreground social responsibilities pertaining to the eventual use of neuroscience knowledge, and highlights self-reflection in research and training of researchers.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:

Les neurosciences représentent un secteur dynamique de la recherche biomédicale où des responsabilités neuroéthiques pour les chercheurs émergent. Cet article accompagne la version anglaise publiée dans ce numéro du Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Nous présentons des avancées récentes en neuroéthique à l’aide de trois cas: (1) la découverte fortuite d’anomalies en neuroimagerie; (2) la création de neurotechnologies pouvant conduire à l’amélioration de la cognition humaine et (3) la communication responsable des résultats de recherche. Nous présentons et discutons ensuite d’un cadre multidimensionnel de responsabilités neuroéthiques pouvant aider à aborder de front ces enjeux. Ce cadre réitère le caractère fondamental de l’intégrité scientifique, met de l’avant les responsabilités sociales à l’égard de l’usage éventuel des connaissances scientifiques et met à l’avant-plan la réflexion autocritique dans la recherche et la formation des chercheurs.

Type
Review Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , August 2006 , pp. 269 - 277
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2006

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