The BRAIN Initiative and Neuroethics: Enabling and Enhancing Neuroscience Advances for Society

Abstract

As the Brain Research through Advancing Neurotechnologyies, better known as the BRAIN Initiative moves forward at a rapid pace increasing attention has focused on neuroethics. The National Institutes of Health recently mandated a review of the progress of the BRAIN Initiative progress with the goal of fine-tuning its future directions. The BRAIN Working Group 2 focused its discussion on science while the BRAIN Neuroethics Subgroup focused on neuroethics. The Brain Neuroethics Subgroup deliberated for over a year collecting information and recommendations through in person and video meetings, a public one-day neuroethics symposium and soliciting input from neuroscientists and neuroethicist’s. The resulting report entitled “The BRAIN Initiative and Neuroethics: Enabling and Enhancing Neuroscience Advances for Society” was accepted by Director of NIH in October of 2019. The recommendations span many BRAIN research neuroethics concerns including privacy considerations, the use of nonhuman primate model systems, neural modulation and enhancement, subject participation in BRAIN research and equity in neuroscience research. Further the group recommended a transformative project whose goal of detailing the scientific mechanisms and ethical underpinnings of consciousness is one of the most daunting issues that impact our perceptions of ourselves. It is anticipated that the report?s recommendations will provide a foundation or “roadmap” for ensuring that neuroethics and BRAIN research move forward as an integrated effort thereby insuring that BRAIN research is of the highest quality.