Issues in Neuroscience

2] UNIT 1 Life Span Neuroethics 1 - [Stem cells / moral status of an embryo]

• Background- Gazzaniga - Moral Status of an Embryo

• The Science- How stem cells are created (The Cloning Process - Nova) [link]

• Can viable human stem cells be created from embryos - monkey data [link]

• Avoiding the problem?- Stem cells from skin cells (NYT) [article link] [graphics link]

• Resources (NYT) [link]

• First human embryonic stem cell trial approved [link] 

Preface,Ch1

Guided questions [link]

3] No Issues session this week

• Data analysis in Harder 103 of your previously collected experimental data (see lab outline)

• Lab materials 1) Sample poor data plot [link] 2) Tilt graph discussion [link] 3) in lab graphing a) [link 1] [link 2] 4) Tilt write-up instructions [link] 

4] UNIT 1 Life Span Neuroethics 2 - [Issues: "Birth & Death" or when can we abort & when can we terminate life]

Primary ('required' readings)

• Gazzaniga - The Aging Brain <== Read this carefully- you will use it to decide life/death cases

• Eyes Open, Brain Shut, S. Laureys, Sci. Am. May 2007 [link]

Secondary readings

• NYT parallel article (to "Eyes' ) on coma cases [link]

• 3 coma cases two of which 'came to life' [case 1] [case 2] [case 3] case 4

• Brain imaging for clinical assessment of consciousness [link]

 Ch 2

PLEASE prepare

Guided questions[link]

5] UNIT 2 Brain Enhancements 1 [Issues: "Better Brains Through Genes" or can we/should we make a Harvard kid?]

• Gazzaniga - Better Brains Through Genes

• Additional articles [1 , 2 - Choosing sex ratio], 3 - designer babies

Ch 3 and 4 

Guided questions[ link ]

6] UNIT 2 Brain Enhancements 2 [Issues: Improving the brain chemically: Memory or 'can I take a pill & do better on this test? Should I?]

• Gazzaniga - Smart Brain With Drugs

• 2 Additional articles [ link ] + Smart brain on drugs [ link ]

Ch 5

Guided questions [link]

7] UNIT 3 FREE WILL, MORAL REASONING, PRIVACY & THE LAW [Issues: "It's not my fault, ' My Brain Made Me Do It' ! " 2) Legal 3) Brain Injury]

• Gazzaniga -My Brain Made Me Do It 

• Additional articles [Legal, Brain injury/graphic & moral decisions] Moral judgements [link]

Ch 6 

Guided questions[link]

8] UNIT 3 FREE WILL, MORAL REASONING, PRIVACY & THE LAW [Issues: Morality/privacy]

• Gazzaniga 7 -Antisocial Thoughts and the Right to Privacy

• Read 108-114 in conjunction w/EDA lab/

• Neuromarketing

• Privacy implications of brain imaging [link]

9] UNIT 3 FREE WILL, MORAL REASONING, PRIVACY & THE LAW Do I want to know if/when I'm going to die? Early tests for Huntington's and Alzheimer's - do I want/need to know I'm going to get them?

5 recent articles - Alzheimer's link 1 , link 2 , link 3 ,Huntington's link 4 , link 5