Interview - "Q & A" on Neuroethics

Abstract

Neuroscience or brain science which readily implies rich, deep and sophisticated philosophy, scholarship and research is uniquely multidisciplinary by nature. Nowadays, neuroscientific advancements set novel challenges and call for strong involvement of philosophers, ethicists, lawyers, educators, public leaders, and policy makers along with basic and clinical neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and psychologists to take a further step and propose the specific concept and subfield of "Neuroethics". Neuroethics is "the study of ethical, legal and social questions that arise when scientific findings about the brain are carried into medical practice, legal interpretations and health and social policy". It aims to examine, understand, and to an extent, guideline "how doctors, judges and lawyers, insurance executives and policy makers as well as the public will deal with those questions". Faithfully based on the proceedings of the historical "landmark conference, entitled, 'Neuroethics: Mapping the Field', organized by the Dana Foundation and participated by more than 150 eminent international neuroscientists, bioethicists, philosophers, lawyers and public policy makers in San Francisco, California in May 2002", and all of the related publications made and public sessions held thereon, by DANA, EDAB, IBRO, FENS, SfN, European Brain Council, extensively, and by the Neuroscience Society of Turkey (TUBAS), locally, as well as the core curriculum of the major Neuroethics Graduate Programs in North American and European academic institutions; this concise interview will modestly attempt to reintroduce and promote the concept, implications and touch selected major issues of emerging concern like "pharmacological enhancement", "deep brain stimulation", and "functional imaging as 'fie detector"' in the context of neuroethics.