Research Paper on:
Ethics and Brain Research

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
age of neuroscience promises new treatments for diseases affecting the brain, such as Alzheimers, as well as enhancement to boost memory, intellect and alter emotional responses (Bailey 24). Jonathan Moreno,  a bio-ethicist at the University of Virginia, predicts that the next two decades will be a "golden age" for neuroscience (Bailey 24). However, what one individual sees as a  golden age, others perceive as dystopia. Francis Fukuyama, for example, warns that society stands on the brink of precipice with these new discoveries and advises that the "power of the  state" should be used to regulate it before humanity starts down a slippery slope to a post-human future (Bailey 24). Examination of this issue shows that policymakers would be wise  to listen to voices warning against the hubris of altering humanitys most distinguished feature, its capacity for reason, the human brain. In order to understand the issues involved with  the latest innovations in neuroscience, it is first necessary to understand the basic functioning of the brain. The human brain is composed of billions of cells, which are called  "neurons" (Ingram 14). Collectively, neurons control everything from breathing to remembering the day of the week and the grocery list. This neural net communicates by sending electrical impulses from neuron  to neuron across "wires" called synapses (Ingram 14). The healthier the synapses, the better the brain works. However, as human beings age, synapses naturally weaken. Also, weakness between synaptic connections  can be caused by injury or disease. The generic term of "smart drugs" refers to a variety of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals that are designed to improve brain functioning,  which is accomplished by reducing the effects of aging on mental acuity; repairing some sort of damage to the brain, or by increasing brain functions, such as memory, above normal