Saturday, November 1, 2008
Ethical Issues of Brain Mapping (Portfolio 5)
The discovery of brain mapping has brought ethical concern to the society. Brain mapping is a useful technology that enables us to understand the functionality of our brain, however, there are some ethical concerns with regards to the use brain mapping concept. Firstly, this brain mapping concept is capable of identifying human brain activation pattern. Secondly, it is also capable for the use of brain scans to identify thoughts which can lead to the study of certain medical disorder sickness. Most amazingly, it is also capable to differentiate between the lying and truth telling which could aid in the investigating criminals. Although brain mapping is useful, ethical concerns need to be justified when it is use. Firstly, we need to identify who should be tested with brain imaging process. Would it be anyone who simply volunteers themselves? Or would it suspect criminals or dying patients? Secondly, we need to justify the privacy of individual who is tested with brain imaging. Would the privacy of the individual be invaded he/she was to go through the process? Thirdly, we need to take the considerations of imaging processing use in children. Would parents use this technology to enrich the growth of their children but unknowingly bring undesirable effect on them? If I am the researcher of this brain mapping, I must try to minimize the potential unethical concerns. I would seek the views of public, I would seek the views of the experts and I would consistently work towards to success of public appeal rather than the success of the final product. Imaging if I am to come up with a product that is unethical and not appealing to the public, what is the success rate of the public using the product? In conclusion, I would like to bring the attention of brain mapping technology, it is useful but we need to justify the ethical concern before it is commercially use.
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2 comments:
I would consistently work towards to success of public appeal rather than the success of the final product. I agree with you that the most important thing is to reduce people's worriness about mind mapping technologies. I hope the technology will come true sooner.
Brain mapping should only be used when necessary but there are now many other situations where it can be applied to. I would like to talk about the third point that parents using such a technology will cause an undesirable effect on their children. As we all know all parents would like their children to excel in the things that they do but comparing the brain scans with famous inventors and deciding the fate of their children may be a disaster to them in future as they might not like what they are doing. There should something done to prevent parents from bringing their children for brain-scans as they are not necessary like i had said before. Lastly, Chin wee has highlighted that the success rate is dependent on whether it is appealing to the public and also if it is ethical. Brain scans should be controlled by hospitals and there should be a valid reason for doing brain mapping.
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