Nanotechnology, the Brain, and the Future (Yearbook of Nanotechnology in Society (3))

Our brain is the source of everything that makes us human: language, creativity, rationality, emotion, communication, culture, politics. The neurosciences have given us, in recent decades, fundamental new insights into how the brain works and what that means for how we see ourselves as individuals and as communities. Now – with the help of new advances in nanotechnology – brain science proposes to go further: to study its molecular foundations, to repair brain functions, to create mind-machine interfaces, and to enhance human mental capacities in radical ways. This book explores the convergence of these two revolutionary scientific fields and the implications of this convergence for the future of human societies. In the process, the book offers a significant new approach to technology assessment, one which operates in real-time, alongside the innovation process, to inform the ways in which new fields of science and technology emerge in, get shaped by, and help shape human societies. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction: Ethics and Anticipatory Governance of Nano-Neurotechnological Convergence....Pages 1-17 Front Matter....Pages 19-19 Applications of Nanotechnology to the Brain and Central Nervous System....Pages 21-41 Public Attitudes Towards Nanotechnology-Enabled Cognitive Enhancement in the United States....Pages 43-65 U.S. News Coverage of Neuroscience Nanotechnology: How U.S. Newspapers Have Covered Neuroscience Nanotechnology During the Last Decade....Pages 67-78 Nanotechnology, the Brain, and the Future: Ethical Considerations....Pages 79-96 A New Model for Public Engagement: The Dialogue on Nanotechnology and Religion....Pages 97-111 Front Matter....Pages 113-113 The Age of Neuroelectronics....Pages 115-146 The Cochlear Implant Controversy: Lessons Learned for Using Anticipatory Governance to Address Societal Concerns of Nano-scale Neural Interface Technologies....Pages 147-158 Healing the Blind: Perspectives of Blind Persons on Methods to Restore Sight....Pages 159-166 Nanotechnology, the Brain, and Personal Identity....Pages 167-178 Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Brain-Implants Using Nano-Scale Materials and Techniques....Pages 179-191 Front Matter....Pages 193-193 The Complex Cognitive Systems Manifesto....Pages 195-217 Narratives of Intelligence: The Sociotechnical Context of Cognitive Enhancement in American Political Culture....Pages 219-234 Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy....Pages 235-245 The Opposite of Human Enhancement: Nanotechnology and the Blind Chicken Problem....Pages 247-263 National Citizens’ Technology Forum: Nanotechnologies and Human Enhancement....Pages 265-283 Panelists’ Reports by State: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin (a–f)....Pages 285-309 Front Matter....Pages 311-311 A Review of Nanoparticle Functionality and Toxicity on the Central Nervous System....Pages 313-332 Recommendations for a Municipal Health & Safety Policy for Nanomaterials....Pages 333-356 Nanotechnology in Cambridge: What Do You Think?....Pages 357-371 Front Matter....Pages 311-311 Anticipatory Governance in Practice? Nanotechnology Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts....Pages 373-392 Back Matter....Pages 393-399 [publisher-supplied Data] Our Brain Is The Source Of Everything That Makes Us Human: Language, Creativity, Rationality, Emotion, Communication, Culture, Politics. The Neurosciences Have Given Us, In Recent Decades, Fundamental New Insights Into How The Brain Works And What That Means For How We See Ourselves As Individuals And As Communities. Now Ith The Help Of New Advances In Nanotechnology Brain Science Proposes To Go Further: To Study Its Molecular Foundations, To Repair Brain Functions, To Create Mind-machine Interfaces, And To Enhance Human Mental Capacities In Radical Ways. This Book Explores The Convergence Of These Two Revolutionary Scientific Fields And The Implications Of This Convergence For The Future Of Human Societies. In The Process, The Book Offers A Significant New Approach To Technology Assessment, One Which Operates In Real-time, Alongside The Innovation Process, To Inform The Ways In Which New Fields Of Science And Technology Emerge In, Get Shaped By, And Help Shape Human Societies. Sean A. Hays...editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.