A brief note on neuroscience
Neuroscience is a rapidly expanding field
which offers significant potential to understand and intervene in the
workings of the human brain. It includes new techniques in brain
imaging, making it possible to scan or modify brain activity while the
subject engages in specified tasks. Classical neurophysiology is now
linked to the molecular and genetic sciences, opening up new
possibilities in the prediction and potential treatment of brain
disease using 'smart drugs'. New information technologies are expanding
to deal with the mass of neuroscience data. The miniaturisation of
components could see the use of internal prosthetics to manage brain
function. Research on the use of stem cells to manage neurological
disease or repair brain damage is also accelerating.
Significant questions are raised by this
science. How might genes and environment interact in determining brain
function and illness? What are the implications of neuroscience
applications affecting cognitive processing, human memory, learning,
performance, and judgement? What are the issues around security,
surveillance and military applications: the 'neuroscience of social
control'? And, what are the legal, ethical and political questions?
News
of recent New Zealand research in Neuroscience
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National symposium - aims
This event highlighted the latest
thinking in neuroscience, neurotechnology and neuroethics. It reported
on the key international trends and implications for New Zealand
and provided a unique opportunity to discuss the social, political,
legal and ethical issues raised by some applications that may require
social or public policy attention. The symposium brought together a
diverse group of experts in interactive discussion to identify the
trends and context of neuroscience and what it may mean for the future.
Our aim was to take a long term view of the science in its social
context and to explore what it may mean for New Zealand.
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The Navigator Network was pleased to
announce
the
participation in this programme of the
international neuroscientist Professor Steven Rose
(Director of The Brain and Behaviour Research Group, Open University,
UK). [More...]
Professor Rose was commissioned to write
a briefing paper
on international trends in neuroscience and their
implications.
He was joined by a panel of eminent New
Zealand scientists and social commentators including:
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Gary Housley (Assoc.
Professor, Physiology Auckland University),
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Martin Wilkinson
(Acting chair, NZ Bioethics Council, and Senior Lecturer, Medical and
Health Sciences, Auckland University),
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Rosemary du Plessis
(Senior Lecturer, Sociology, University of Canterbury)
-
Steven Price
(Lecturer, Law, Victoria University of Wellington)
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