Professor Julian Savulescu: The Oxford Centre for Neuroethics
Funded by a Strategic Award in Biomedical Ethics
Neuroscience studies the brain and the mind, investigating some of the most profound aspects of human existence. In the last decade, advances in imaging and manipulating the brain have raised ethical challenges, particularly about the moral limits of the use of such technology, leading to the new discipline of neuroethics. The Oxford Centre for Neuroethics, led by experts from ethics, philosophy of mind, neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry and legal theory, is the first international centre in the UK dedicated to neuroethical research.
This is one of only a handful of neuroethics centres in the world. The strong support and wealth of expertise of the collaborators, fellow investigators and advisory board will allow the researchers to draw on the latest research in neuroscience, law, ethics and medicine.
The Centre will focus on four areas: cognitive and affective enhancement; borderline consciousness and severe neurological impairment; free will, responsibility and addiction; and the neuroscience of morality and decision making. It aims to:
- conduct applied research using neuroethics and practical ethics in general to address advances in neuroscientific technology and ethical issues arising from research and clinical practice in neuroscience
- facilitate neuroethical research internationally by creating a meta-centre that brings together leading international researchers from relevant disciplines
- apply the results of its research to specific problems in biomedical policy, law and practice and to disseminate them to influence policy and promote public debate
- promote the study of neuroethics, fostering the next generation of neuroethicists.
