Nanotechnology, the Brain, and the Future

Our brain is the source of everything that makes us human. This exploratory book offers the first assessment of the convergence of neuroscience and nanotechnology, its implications for the brain, and the social and ethical questions to which it gives rise.

Our brain is the source of everything that makes us human: language, creativity, rationality, emotion, communication, culture, politics. The neurosciences have given us, in recent decades, fundamental new insights into how the brain works and what that means for how we see ourselves as individuals and as communities. Now with the help of new advances in nanotechnology brain science proposes to go further: to study its molecular foundations, to repair brain functions, to create mind-machine interfaces, and to enhance human mental capacities in radical ways. This book explores the convergence of these two revolutionary scientific fields and the implications of this convergence for the future of human societies. In the process, the book offers a significant new approach to technology assessment, one which operates in real-time, alongside the innovation process, to inform the ways in which new fields of science and technology emerge in, get shaped by, and help shape human societies.

The first assessment of the convergence of neuroscience and nanotechnology, its implications for the brain, and the social and ethical questions to which it gives rise A novel approach to real-time assessment of new and emerging technologies The first serious empirical analysis, using quantitative and qualitative methods, of the potential for and societal ramifications of human cognitive enhancement

Inhalt

I. Introduction and key resources.-

1. Nanotechnology, the brain, and the future: Anticipatory governance via end-to-end real-time technology assessment
   Jason Scott Robert, Ira Bennett, and Clark A. Miller.-

2. The complex cognitive systems manifesto
   Richard P. W. Loosemore.-

3. Analysis of bibliometric data for research at the intersection of nanotechnology and neuroscience
   Christina Nulle, Clark A. Miller, Harmeet Singh, and Alan Porter.-

4. Public attitudes toward nanotechnology-enabled human enhancement in the United States
   Sean Hays, Michael Cobb, and Clark A. Miller.-

5. U.S. news coverage of neuroscience nanotechnology: How U.S. newspapers have covered neuroscience nanotechnology during the last decade
   Doo-Hun Choi, Anthony Dudo, and Dietram Scheufele.-

6. Nanoethics and the brain
   Valerye Milleson.-

7. Nanotechnology and religion: A dialogue
   Tobie Milford.-

   II. Brain repair.-

8. The age of neuroelectronics
   Adam Keiper .-

9. Cochlear implants and Deaf culture
   Derrick Anderson.-

10. Healing the blind: Attitudes of blind people toward technologies to cure blindness
    Arielle Silverman.-

11. Ethical, legal and social aspects of brain-implants using nano-scale materials and techniques
    Francois Berger et al. .-

12. Nanotechnology, the brain, and personal identity
    Stephanie Naufel.-

    III. Brain enhancement.-

13. Narratives of intelligence: the sociotechnical context of cognitive enhancement
    Sean Hays.-

14. Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy
    Henry T. Greeley et al. .-

15. The opposite of human enhancement: Nanotechnology and the blind chicken debate
    Paul B. Thompson .-

16. Anticipatory governance of human enhancement: The National Citizens' Technology Forum
    Patrick Hamlett, Michael Cobb, and David Guston
    a. Arizona site report
    b. California site report
    c. Colorado site reportd. Georgia site report
    e. New Hampshire site report
    f. Wisconsin site report.-

    IV. Brain damage.-

17. A review of nanoparticle functionality and toxicity on the central nervous system
    Yang et al. .-

18. Recommendations for a municipal health and safety policy for nanomaterials: A Report to the City of Cambridge City Manager
    Sam Lipson .-

19. Museum of Science Nanotechnology Forum lets participants be the judge
    Mark Griffin .-

20. Nanotechnology policy and citizen engagement in Cambridge, Massachusetts: Local reflexive governance
    Shannon Conley.-