| 1. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
-
Epistemic Challenges of Digital Twins & Virtual Brains : Perspectives from Fundamental Neuroethics
- 2021
-
Ingår i: SCIO: Revista de Filosofía. - : Fundacion Universidad Catolica de Valencia San Vicente Martir. - 1887-9853 .- 2603-6924. ; :21, s. 27-53
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article, we present and analyse the concept of Digital Twin (DT) linked to distinct types of objects (artefacts, natural, inanimate or living) and examine the challenges involved in creating them from a fundamental neuroethics approach that emphasises conceptual analyses. We begin by providing a brief description of DTs and their initial development as models of artefacts and physical inanimate objects, identifying core challenges in building these tools and noting their intended benefits. Next, we describe attempts to build DTs of model living entities, such as hearts, highlighting the novel challenges raised by this shift from DTs of inanimate to DTs of living objects. Against that background, we give an account of contemporary research aiming to develop DTs of the human brain by building "virtual brains", e.g. the simulation engine The Virtual Brain (TVB) as it is carried out in the European Human Brain Project. Since the brain is structurally and functionally the most complex organ in the human body, and our integrated knowledge of its functional architecture remains limited in spite of recent neuroscientific advances, the attempts to create virtual copies of the human brain are correspondingly challenging. We suggest that a clear scientific theoretical structure, conceptual clarity and transparency regarding the methods and goals of this technological development are necessary prerequisites in order to make the project of constructing virtual brains a theoretically promising and socially beneficial scientific, technological and philosophical enterprise.
|
|
| 2. |
- Kuhlau, Frida, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
-
Taking due care : Moral obligations in dual use research
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Bioethics. - : Wiley. - 0269-9702 .- 1467-8519. ; 22:9, s. 477-487
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the past decade, the perception of a bioterrorist threat has increased and created a demand on life scientists to consider the potential security implications of dual use research. This article examines a selection of proposed moral obligations for life scientists that have emerged to meet these concerns and the extent to which they can be considered reasonable. It also describes the underlying reasons for the concerns, how they are managed, and their implications for scientific values.Five criteria for what constitutes preventable harm are suggested and a number of proposed obligations for life scientists are considered against these criteria, namely, the obligations to prevent bioterrorism; to engage in response activities; to consider negative implications of research; not to publish or share sensitive information; to oversee and limit access to dangerous material; and to report activities of concern.Although bioterrorism might be perceived as an imminent threat, the analysis illustrates that this is beyond the responsibility of life scientists either to prevent or to respond to. Among the more reasonable obligations are duties to consider potential negative implications of one's research, protect access to sensitive material, technology and knowledge, and report activities of concern. Responsibility, therefore, includes obligations concerned with preventing foreseeable and highly probable harm. A central conclusion is that several of the proposed obligations are reasonable, although not unconditionally.
|
|
| 3. |
- Dudai, Yadin, et al.
(författare)
-
To simulate or not to simulate : What are the questions?
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Neuron. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-6273 .- 1097-4199. ; 84:2, s. 254-261
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simulation is a powerful method in science and engineering. However, simulation is an umbrella term, and its meaning and goals differ among disciplines. Rapid advances in neuroscience and computing draw increasing attention to large-scale brain simulations. What is the meaning of simulation, and what should the method expect to achieve? We discuss the concept of simulation from an integrated scientific and philosophical vantage point and pinpoint selected issues that are specific to brain simulation.
|
|
| 4. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
-
Assessing the commensurability of theories of consciousness : on the usefulness of common denominators in differentiating, integrating and testing hypotheses
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Consciousness and Cognition. - : Elsevier. - 1053-8100 .- 1090-2376. ; 119
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- How deep is the current diversity in the panoply of theories to define consciousness, and to what extent do these theories share common denominators? Here we first examine to what extent different theories are commensurable (or comparable) along particular dimensions. We posit logical (and, when applicable, empirical) commensurability as a necessary condition for identifying common denominators among different theories. By consequence, dimensions for inclusion in a set of logically and empirically commensurable theories of consciousness can be proposed. Next, we compare a limited subset of neuroscience-based theories in terms of commensurability. This analysis does not yield a denominator that might serve to define a minimally unifying model of consciousness. Theories that seem to be akin by one denominator can be remote by another. We suggest a methodology of comparing different theories via multiple probing questions, allowing to discern overall (dis)similarities between theories. Despite very different background definitions of consciousness, we conclude that, if attention is paid to the search for a common methological approach to brain-consciousness relationships, it should be possible in principle to overcome the current Babylonian confusion of tongues and eventually integrate and merge different theories.
|
|
| 5. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-
(författare)
-
Can we be epigenetically proactive?
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Open MIND. - : Barbara Wengler Foundation. - 9783958570238
-
Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The human brain is an essentially evaluative organ endowed with reward systemsengaged in learning and memory as well as in higher evaluative tendencies. Ourinnate species-specific, neuronally-based identity disposes us to develop universalevaluative tendencies, such as self-interest, control-orientation, dissociation, selectivesympathy, empathy, and xenophobia. The combination of these tendenciesmay place us in a predicament. Our neuronal identity makes us social, but alsoindividualistic and self-projective, with an emotional and intellectual engagementthat is far more narrowly focused in space and time than the effects of our actions.However, synaptic epigenesis theories of cultural and social imprinting on ourbrain architecture suggest that there is a possibility of culturally influencingthese predispositions. In an analysis of epigenesis by selective stabilisation ofsynapses, I discuss the relationships between genotype and brain phenotype: theparadox of non-linear evolution between genome and brain complexity; the selectionof cultural circuits in the brain during development; and the genesis and epigenetictransmission of cultural imprints. I proceed to discuss the combinatorialexplosion of brain representations, and the channelling of behaviour through “epigeneticrules” and top-down control of decision-making. In neurobiological terms,these “rules” are viewed as acquired patterns of connections (scaffoldings), hypotheticallystored in frontal cortex long-term memory, which frame the genesis ofnovel representations and regulate decision-making in a top-down manner.Against that background I propose the possibility of being epigenetically proactive,and adapting our social structures, in both the short and the long term, to benefit,influence, and constructively interact with the ever-developing neuronal architectureof our brains.
|
|
| 6. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-
(författare)
-
Ethics in Science : A Socio-Political Challenge
- 2009. - 1
-
Ingår i: <em>Universality, </em><em>from Theory to Practice</em>. - Freiburg : Academic Press Freiburg. - 9783727816505 ; , s. 393-404
-
Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-
(författare)
-
Neurotechnological assessment of consciousness disorders : five ethical imperatives
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. - 1294-8322 .- 1958-5969. ; 18:2, s. 155-162
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Disorders of consciousness (DOCs) cause great human suffering and material costs for society. Understanding of these disorders has advanced remarkably in recent years, but uncertainty remains with respect to the diagnostic criteria and standards of care. One of the most serious problems concerns misdiagnoses, their impact on medical decision-making, and on patients' well-being. Recent studies use neurotechnology to assess residual consciousness in DOC patients that traditional behavioral diagnostic criteria are unable to detect. The results show an urgent need to strengthen the development of new diagnostic tools and more refined diagnostic criteria. If residual consciousness may be inferred from robust and reproducible results from neurotechnological communication with DOC patients, this also raises ethical challenges. With reference to the moral notions of beneficence and fundamental rights, five ethical imperatives are here suggested in terms of diagnosis, communication, interpretation of subjective states, adaptation of living conditions, and care.
|
|
| 9. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-
(författare)
-
Personalized medicine in psychiatry : ethical challenges and opportunities
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. ; 11:4, s. 427-433
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pharmacogenomic developments hold out promises of personalized medicine in psychiatry with adjusted therapeutic doses, predictable responses, reduced adverse drug reactions, early diagnosis, and personal health planning. The prospects are exciting, but at the same time, these new techniques stand faced with important scientific, ethical, legal and social challenges that need to be met in order for the scientific advances to be responsibly applied. This review discusses the ethical balance between challenge and opportunity of personalized medicine in psychiatry under the aspects of adequacy, cost-benefit ratio, and therapeutic equity. It is argued that the promising nature of these therapeutic possibilities make it all the more important to avoid exaggerating the expectations, and that a sophisticated social infrastructure needs to be developed in order to ensure the realistic and responsible application of personalized medicine in psychiatry.
|
|
| 10. |
- Evers, Kathinka, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
-
Proactive epigenesis and ethics - Response
- 2017
-
Ingår i: EMBO Reports. - : WILEY. - 1469-221X .- 1469-3178. ; 18:8, s. 1272-1272
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
|
|
