Including society and ethics in brain science
What is it that makes us human? Our brain is more complex than the brain of other animals. It has made us able to use tools, control fire, build supercomputers and explore the universe. Digital tools allow us to learn more about the brain. What we learn is embedded in, and dependent on growing worlds…
Developing a novel approach to address dual use issues
How to address issues of dual use in emerging neurosciences and neurotechnologies? This scientifically and practically challenging question has been on the agenda of the Human Brain Project’s (HBP) Ethics and Society team for almost ten years. In collaboration with researchers and experts within and beyond the HBP, we have undertaken research and engagement activities…
Engage with citizens about the future of neuroscience!
From November 2021 to March 2022, the Danish Board of Technology is organising citizen engagement workshops about international research collaboration and sharing of health data in neuroscience on site in 6 European countries (Denmark, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Germany & the UK). They are now inviting experts in neuroscience, neuromedicine, health data and data sharing to…
How do we take responsibility for dual-use research?
We are more often than we think governed by old patterns of thought. As a philosopher, I find it fascinating to see how mental patterns capture us, how we get imprisoned in them, and how we can get out of them. With that in mind, I recently read a book chapter on something that is…
Dealing with responsible research & dual use in the Human Brain Project
EBRAINS is a new digital research infrastructure created by the EU-funded Human Brain Project (HBP) that gathers an extensive range of data and tools for brain-related research. EBRAINS capitalises on the work performed by the HBP teams in digital neuroscience, brain medicine, brain-inspired technology and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). On 16 June, we held…
Dual-use research of concern in neuroscience and neurotechnology
In this presentation, Dr. Inga Ulnicane introduces an approach to address dual-use research of concern developed in the EU-funded Human Brain Project (HBP). Advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology come with promises of new treatments but they also present important societal and ethical concerns including those of dual use, misuse and unintended use. Over the past…
Webinar 16 June: Addressing dual-use research of concern
Advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology come with promises of new treatments but they also present important societal and ethical concerns including those of dual-use, misuse, and unintended use. Over the past eight years, the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) team of the Human Brain Project (HBP) has undertaken research, engagement, and co-creation activities in collaboration with…
The 5th HBP conference: Impressions on the first HBP online conference
The Human Brain Project (HBP) held its annual student conference on 1-5 February 2021. Because of the pandemic, the 5th HBP student conference was to be held online. Each day consisted of keynotes, workshops, student sessions, and networking sessions such as pub quiz, poster session, and science bazaar. Unlike last year, the conference was not…
Paper roundup – Neuroethics, AI ethics, dual-use, responsible neurorobotics & how to carry on during the Covid-19 crisis
Large-scale international collaborative brain research exists in a societal context. The Human Brain Project is committed to responsible research and innovation. This summer, HPB researchers have published a number of papers on different ethical and societal impacts of neuroscientific advances. As the Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone’s professional and personal lives, we have shared experiences…
Dual-use in neuroscience: Beyond the civil-military dichotomy
Neuroscience is one of the most promising technologies of this century, with potential for great benefits in health, technology and economy. How can we promote the benefits and minimise the harms of this powerful technology? Inga Ulnicane makes the case for involving scientists and engineers in the process of identifying the dual uses of their…