Ethics of Neuroscience and National Security

New advances in neuroscience offer potential innovations in national security, but ethical questions arise about their use. This book explores the development of neuroscience, particularly through Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funding, and its implications for law enforcement, intelligence collection, and armed conflict. It highlights the risks of technological sophistication without attention to ethics, such as the development of dual-use technologies that may be prone to misuse or based on incomplete understandings of the brain. The book offers policy and regulatory options to promote the benefits of emerging neuroscience while mitigating attendant risks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

New developments in neuroscience hold immense potential for advancements in national security, particularly in the realms of law enforcement, intelligence collection, and armed conflict. However, these advancements also raise crucial ethical questions that require careful consideration. This book aims to explore the evolution of neuroscience, particularly through funding by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, in specific areas such as behavior prediction, behavior modification, and neuroenhancement, and its application in the development of novel weapons. It highlights how advances in neuroscience and emerging technologies raise ethical dilemmas that challenge the established norms of law enforcement, intelligence collection, and armed conflict, collectively referred to as national security.

Without proper attention to ethics, the increasing technological sophistication in this field risks the creation of dual-use technologies that may be susceptible to misuse, are based on an incomplete understanding of the brain, or are limited in their view of the political contexts in which these technologies arise. To address these concerns, this book offers a comprehensive ethical analysis that spans various cross-cutting technologies. It delves into the ethical implications of behavior prediction and modification tools, human enhancement, and the development of novel lethal and nonlethal weapons. The analysis covers the entire lifecycle of these technologies, from their development to their testing and use (or misuse), and examines the decisions made by individual scientists as well as nation-states.

A central theme of this book is the importance of promoting the benefits of emerging neuroscience while mitigating the associated risks. It advocates for a robust policy framework that balances the potential advantages of these technologies with the need to safeguard against unintended consequences. The book offers insights into self-governance mechanisms, international regulations, and ethical frameworks that can guide the responsible development and deployment of neuroscience-based technologies in national security.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and timely exploration of the ethics of neuroscience as it relates to national security. It offers a valuable resource for policymakers, scientists, and scholars interested in understanding the ethical implications of emerging technologies and their potential impact on society. By addressing these ethical challenges, we can ensure that the benefits of neuroscience are realized while minimizing the risks associated with their misuse or unintended consequences.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138331532