Expanding the Scope of Ethics in Neuroscience: A Holistic Approach to Social Justice
The International Neuroethics Society (INS) is set to host its annual meeting on November 4 and 5, this year in a virtual setting. This change in format allows for broader inclusion of expertise from around the world and increased ability to support attendance from a broad range of communities and backgrounds.
The meeting, led by Nita Farahany, will focus on justice and neuroethics, with a particular emphasis on social justice and its associated concepts and practices. The opening session will delve into re-examining assumptions and foundational concepts to strengthen the field of neuroethics and advance excellence in the brain sciences.
Neuroethics, the study of the social, legal, and ethical implications of the brain and behavioral sciences, has become increasingly important in today's world. The pandemic has starkly illuminated societal inequality and the toll taken on marginalized groups, making the need for social justice in neuroethics more pressing than ever.
The program will examine the use of the brain sciences to predict criminality and AI-driven neurotechnologies, with a focus on their impact on marginalized groups and equity. It is crucial to address these issues as neuroscience and neurotechnologies have historically been used to justify racism and slavery, and echoes of this can be seen in recent practices.
In line with this focus, Francis X. Shen and Olivia Matshabane have written calls-to-action for diversity in neuroethics and neuroscience. Meanwhile, Tim Brown, who chairs the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force of the INS, conducts listening sessions and webinars on scientific oppression and culturally-aware global neuroethics.
The INS annual meeting will also highlight topics like mental health equity, values and priorities in global neuroscience research, and environmental neuroethics. The meeting aims to initiate a discussion among attendees and neuroethics leaders on what is meant by 'social justice' and associated concepts and practices.
The Covid-19 pandemic is described as a portal for imagining another world. As such, the INS annual meeting provides an opportunity to connect and create a path towards a better world, one that is more equitable and just. The article, published as a legacy post, underscores the importance of these discussions and the role of the INS in shaping the future of neuroethics.
There are concerns about inequitable funding of neuroscience research internationally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The INS annual meeting program will also address this issue, with a focus on values and priorities in global neuroscience research.
The upcoming virtual annual meeting of the International Neuroethics Society promises to be a significant event, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss and shape the future of neuroethics. The meeting will be a step towards imagining and creating a world that is more equitable, just, and inclusive.
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