Neuroethics Today

Do we need to protect ourselves from brain tracking and hacking? Do we need a right for cognitive liberty?

In her groundbreaking new book, Professor Nita Farahany explores the profound ethical and legal challenges posed by emerging neurotechnologies. These innovations have the potential to reshape how we understand, influence, and define ourselves—but they also come with significant risks. In this episode, we discuss the promise and peril of neurotechnology, the urgent need for a right to cognitive liberty, and what these developments mean for our personal freedoms. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on the future of the mind.

Can neuroscience research measure violence in the brain?

His new book highlights some ethical dilemmas of neuroscience research on violence. As a Black man, Dr. Oliver Rollins warns that such research could potentially lead to (racial) profiling, escalating inequities in society. In his recent book, he warns against a dystopian future where behavior is reduced to our biology.

During Episode 6 of our special season highlighting last year’s International Neuroethics Society meeting, we focused on important take-home messages. Our guest host was Dr. Tim Brown, assistant professor in the Department of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington. Our speakers were Dr. Jasmine Kwasa, postdoc at Carnegie Mellon’s Neuroscience Institute; Juhi Farooqui, PhD student in neural computation at Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. Kate Webb, postdoc at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Erin Morrow, PhD student in cognitive psychology at UCLA; and Katherine Bassil,  founder and host of Neuroethics Today and PhD candidate in neuroscience at Maastricht University. Our speakers discussed several questions, including: What were your favorite moments of the meeting? Who should answer the meeting’s many calls-to-action? How can we make sure social justice becomes more than just an afterthought in neuroethics?

A special thanks to Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge - Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from Birraranga, Naarm (Australia) - for the music especially dedicated to this season of Neuroethics Today.

The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Neuroethics Society (INS) or the INS Board.

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During Episode 5 of our special season highlighting last year’s International Neuroethics Society meeting, we focused on the emerging field of environmental neuroethics. Our co-guest hosts were Dr. Laura Cabrera, J. Lloyd Huck Career Chair in Neuroethics at Pennsylvania State University; and Erin Morrow, PhD student in cognitive psychology at UCLA. Our speakers were Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge - Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from Birraranga, Naarm (Australia), PhD candidate in psychology at Monash University; Dr. Judy Illes, Distinguished Professor in Neuroethics at the University of British Columbia; and Louise Harding, who recently completed her master’s degree at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. Our speakers consider several questions, including: What is environmental neuroethics? How can it learn from Indigenous communities and become more inclusive? How can story-telling and different forms of knowledge enrich neuroethics? What can environmental neuroethics add to existing climate advocacy efforts? Curious for more? TUNE in NOW!

A special thanks to Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge - Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from Birraranga, Naarm (Australia) - for the music especially dedicated to this season of Neuroethics Today.

The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Neuroethics Society (INS) or the INS Board.

Useful Links: