Brainy Brave New World

Stem cells frequently hit the news headlines with debates in recent years evolving from a radical new treatment for brain disease to fears of creating designer babies to the ethics of hybrid animal-human embryo research. Medicines to enhance the brain could transform the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease, but just suppose these drugs were to be used by people who needed that extra memory boost for exams or interviews? Imaging technology provides an astonishing window into the brain, an invaluable tool for diagnosing disease or injury, or for seeing the brain in action. So wouldn’t it be useful in the law courts, or to predict who might behave in a certain way?

Brain research is revealing more about the brain than was ever thought possible, yet it still remains one of the toughest challenges in science today. With new advances come new questions for us all on how the knowledge should be applied.

People’s views differ according to their own priorities, their religion, their health and even where they live. Policies and regulations are made that might be acceptable in one country but would seem wrong in another.

This evening brings together speakers who are helping to shape the future in brain research. We will have a live link to a bioethics expert in USA. After short talks, share your views and your questions with our panel. What do you think about our ‘brainy brave new world’?

Event organised by:
The European Dana Alliance for the Brain and King’s College London

Speakers

Chris Mason, University College London
Ilina Singh, London School of Economics
Robert Smith, Meeting of Minds
Irene Tracey, Oxford University

With a live-link to Judy Illes, Stanford University USA

Chairman:
Roger Brownsword, King's College London