Ethical Dimensions of Neuroscience Research
A Project To Develop New Collaborations Among Bio-X Investigators, the Center for Law and the Biosciences (CLB), the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics (SCBE), and the Ethics in Society (EiS) Program
Barbara A. Koenig, Ph.D. - Co-Principal Investigator, SCBE & Dept.
of Medicine
Henry Greely, J.D. - Co-Principal Investigator, CLB, School of Law
Debra Satz, Ph.D. - Co-Principal Investigator, EiS & Dept. of Philosophy;
Humanities & Sciences
Judy Illes, Ph.D. - Co-Investigator, SCBE & Depts. of Medicine & Radiology
Linda Hogle, Ph.D. - Co-Investigator, SCBE & Dept. of Medicine
Bio-X and Bioethics at Stanford
We view this project as the first step in building strong and lasting ties between Bio-X and a broader Stanford community of scholars working within the inter-disciplinary field of bioethics. Work in a specific area-the neurosciences-will provide a model for developing effective mechanisms of communication across disciplines, for nurturing new collaborations tied to specific research projects, and for creating an innovative curriculum that will benefit faculty and students.
Overview
A central goal of Bio-X is the creation of truly interdisciplinary approaches to scientific research. We believe that scholars working in the fields of philosophy, law, and bioethics are essential to that effort, not only "downstream" when the products of basic research are translated into clinical practice, but "upstream" as scientists make choices about the content and actual practice of their work. Focusing on neuroscience, we propose to develop a set of unique and innovative mechanisms that would allow for inter-disciplinary collaboration between scientists and scholars from throughout the university. These efforts-to be led by Koenig (Department of Medicine; SCBE), Greely (School of Law), and Satz (EiS; Department of Philosophy)-will build on and expand existing collaborations. The outcome of such collaborations will be: 1) new joint research projects focused on specific topics, for example the impact of neuroimaging technologies on predicting future disease, and, 2) comprehensive and innovative efforts to educate faculty and students about ethical dimensions of the neurosciences, for example a new curriculum in "neuroethics."
The primary aims of this project are to:
- Strengthen the "ethics infrastructure" of basic neuroscience research at Stanford by creating mechanisms for ongoing communication,
- Enhance the ability of BioX, SCBE and other Stanford researchers to collaborate on compelling projects at the forefront of new developments in basic neuroscience and in translational research,
- Develop a formal curriculum focused on ethical and social issues in the neurosciences targeted to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and clinical trainees,
- Provide opportunities for dialogue and interdisciplinary projects examining the ethical, legal, and social implications of BioX-related research, and,
- Leverage increased extramural funding for both basic science and
bioethics researchers through the development of innovative collaborative
projects.
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