Garret O’Connell The University of Edinburgh Neuroethical Debate Web Survey.

Garret O’ConnellThe University of Edinburgh

Neuroethical Debate Web Survey

Desired Outcome of Neuroethical DebateTalk fine – but what is the message?2 identified scenarios arising from neuroethical

debate:Public Awareness – give public tools to judge

reliability of methods.Pros Eliminate misinterpretation of evidence.Cons Is hard to achieve if existing exposure dissipates.

Outspoken message – No!Pros Unreliably practices cease.Cons Possible long-term benefits to law/society/the ability to prepare frameworks for future applications of NI beyond research.

The Scope of the SurveyTo gather information about:

Attitudes to the widespread use of neuroimaging.Ethical issues arising from the use of

neuroimaging in different contexts ie. Court, coma patients, military etc.

How neuroimaging findings become distorted in the media.

Methods to improve the communication of neuroimaging findings for better media representation.

Ways to promote media engagement in the neuroscientific community.

Issues to ConsiderWhat data do we need to:

Identify obstacles to the promotion of public awareness of neuroscience.

Find out what is the public perception of neuroimaging.

What are the obstacles to encouraging neuroscientists to engage the media.

Highlight the ethical concerns of both researchers and the public.

Find out specifically what strategies would be most effective to promote neuroethical debate and awareness.

Draft Web SurveySECTION A.Are you involved in the conduct, application or

communication of neuroscience research? Y/NWhat is your profession?

Researcher/Clinician/Legal/Journalist/Technician/Administration/Other (please state)

How many years have you been in this profession? <5 <10 <20 <30 years

How important is the communication of neuroscience research to the public?

Not at all/Moderately Important/Quite Important/Very Important

Draft Web SurveyDo you engage with the public or media about your

own work?If so how often?

Weekly/Monthly/Biannually/Yearly/RarelyWhat media do you do this through? Internet/Peer-

Reviewed Publication/Mass Media (press, TV, radio etc.)/Public Speaking/Other (please state)

Are you content to give interviews? Y/NIf No what for what reason(s)? Public speaking anxiety/Little incentives to

speak/Dislike of press/Fear of criticism from peers Do you think there are sufficient incentives for

researchers to engage the public? Y/N

Draft Web SurveyWhat do you think would be the most effective

incentives? (1=Least 5=Most)

What do you think is the future potential of Neuroimaging to help scientific discovery?None/Overhyped/Moderate/Promising/Pivotal

Awards 1 2 3 4 5

Public exposure 1 2 3 4 5

Professional credit 1 2 3 4 5

Career move into media

1 2 3 4 5

Funding requirements

1 2 3 4 5

Other (please state)

Draft Web SurveyIn your experience, what is the main cause

of Neuroimaging findings being misrepresented in the media?

 Do you think most studies that use

Neuroimaging methods meet a high degree of quality research? Y/N

If No what are the main reasons?

Poor journalism 1 2 3 4 5

Poor inference of results 1 2 3 4 5

Poor awareness of methods 1 2 3 4 5

Other (please state)

Neuroimaging methods add little to study

1 2 3 4 5

Poorly designed study 1 2 3 4 5

Misinterpretation of results 1 2 3 4 5

Other (please state)

Draft Web Survey In your opinion, are ethical issues of neuroscience

research under-discussed? Y/N If Yes how important is it to fund neuroethical debates at

the cost of research? Y/N Not at all/Slight Importance/Fairly Important/Very

Important Do you think an ethical framework to regulate research

standards and communications would be beneficial? Y/N/Maybe

What do you think is the best way to prevent the misuse of Neuroimaging methods?

Ethical Debate 1 2 3 4 5

Enforced Regulations 1 2 3 4 5

Stricter funding guidelines 1 2 3 4 5

Other (please state)

Draft Web Survey – Section B How familiar are you with research using brain-imaging

methods? Not at all/Limited Experience/Moderate/Fairly

Familiar/Very Familiar In which media would you likely be exposed to

information about neuroimaging? Internet/Scientific Publications/Mass Media (press, TV,

radio etc.)/Public Speaking/Other (please state) In your opinion, how plausible are the following using

brain scans? (1=Least 5=Most)Mind-reading 1 2 3 4 5

Lie-detection 1 2 3 4 5

Diagnose mental illness 1 2 3 4 5

Finds brains areas for love/music/shyness etc.?

1 2 3 4 5

Other (please state)

Draft Web Survey – Section BWould you be interested in learning about

how brain imaging works? Y/N/MaybeWhat would be your preferred method(s) to

learn about brain imaging?Internet/Podcast/Documentary/Books or

magazines/Seminars/Other (please state)

Draft Web Survey – Section CDo you think people who commit crimes with abnormal

brains should be punished less than normal criminals? Y/NDo you think people who commit crimes that were abused

should be punished less than criminals that were not? Y/NDo you think people are free to make conscious decisions

to control behavior? Y/NDo you think brain scans that indicate a reduced capacity

to control behavior should be less accountable for their crimes? Y/N

Do you think respected news sources accurately represent scientific findings? Y/N

Do you think human behavior can be fully explained by looking at the brain? Y/N

Draft Web Survey – Section CDo you think scientists have a responsibility

to communicate their work to the public? Y/N

Are you concerned about what brain imaging methods might be used for? Y/N

If Yes please give reason(s)Privacy of thoughts/Revealing measures of

intelligence or personality/Lie-detection/Mind control/Other (please state)

Thank you for your time