Ethics and Values Studies in Science, Technology and Society supports research and educational activities to enhance understanding of the social values and obligations and responsibilities that arise in the interactions of science, technology and society. This project will enable a neuroscientist to study with two humanities scholars in order to address concerns that arise from new developments in his field. His career goal is to establish a research and teaching program in interdisciplinary studies of humanities and basic life science at a major university or medical college. This project focusses on ethical concerns and value issues that are emerging from current brain research. It includes a program of coursework and independent, guided study in the humanities disciplines needed to develop competence in ethics and values studies. Historical studies will examine the development of professional responsibility in the context of modern society and political obligation. Philosophical and sociological study will examine how contemporary understandings of society and political obligation create a matrix for professional ethics, and study of the mind-body problem will place current research in neural tissue transplants in the intellectual context of current inquiries about ethics and personhood. The research component will identify moral values which function in the conduct of neuroscience and suggest the social responsibilities of neuroscientists. The specific problem to be addressed is what contributions neuroscientists can make to discussion about human and social impacts from new developments in brain research and technology. The project will result in a monograph on ethical and value issues intrinsic to the conduct and application of research in the neurosciences. This project addresses a very important issue and will enable a young scientist to develop his capacities to become a scholar and teacher on ethical issues associated with developments in his research field. He and his host specialists are uniquely well- qualified; institutional support is very good. Collaborative efforts are likely to continue after the period of this award; results are likely to be appropriately disseminated and useful. An award in the amount of $38,000 is therefore recommended.
