Neuroscience and the Future of Chemical-Biological Weapons [recurso electrónico

This study is concerned with the potential misuse of advances in neuroscience. Recently, fears surrounding the abuse of benignly-intended research in the life sciences – the dual-use problem – have focused on 'Gain-of Function' experiments, in which deadly influenza viruses have been made transmissible through the air. However, many other aspects of the life sciences, besides the study of viruses, could be subject to hostile misuse. There is a century-long history of the development of novel neuroweapons, which is based on civil research and a vast, ongoing increase in research funding. These developments underpin an attempt to produce a mechanistic understanding of brain functions, which risk being subjected to misuse in the future. This study does not propose that this benignly-intended work be reined in, nor suggest that neuroscientists bear the sole responsibility for preventing the misuse of their work. However, they remain inextricably involved and should, one could argue, assume a certain level of accountability. Thus, this book sheds light on how they, and international security specialists, can work to bolster efforts to minimise the potential for misuse of modern neuroscience research. ''The justified excitement about modern brain science should also come with a warning label. That's what Malcolm Dando has given us in this timely, powerful and deeply informed book.'' - Jonathan D. Moreno, University of Pennsylvania, USA''Chemical and biological weapons and their intersection require an understanding of the science and the international policy banning them. Non-scientists will value his clear explanation of brain science. Neuroscientists will understand why their work merits scrutiny for weapons implications. All of us will benefit by Dando's singular contribution to why we should be worried and why we must act now.'' - Marie Isabelle Chevrier, Rutgers University-Camden, USA Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Neuroscience and CBW....Pages 3-19 The Structure and Function of the Brain....Pages 20-38 The CBW Non-Proliferation Regime....Pages 39-49 The Dual-Use Challenge....Pages 50-59 Front Matter....Pages 61-61 Modern Civil Neuroscience....Pages 63-75 Novel Neuroweapons....Pages 76-96 Implications of Advances in Neuroscience....Pages 97-109 The Search for Incapacitants....Pages 110-122 Bioregulators and Toxins....Pages 123-137 Front Matter....Pages 139-139 The BTWC and CWC Facing Scientific Change....Pages 141-156 Where Are We Going?....Pages 157-172 The Governance of Dual-Use Neuroscience....Pages 173-186 Back Matter....Pages 187-191 During the last century, advances in the life sciences were used in the development of biological and chemical weapons in large-scale state offensive programmes, many of which targeted the nervous system. This study questions whether the development of novel biological and chemical neuroweapons can be prevented as neuroscience progresses.