*We have now sold out of tickets and our waiting list is full. However, the event will be live streamed on the Imperial College YouTube channel here and made available online via our website later for those who are not able to attend.*

*There has been a change to the panel line-up. Prof. Tipu Aziz is unfortunately unable to attend, but Prof. Dipankar Nandi will take his place. Please see under Panellists below for information.*

Will neural enhancement change society?
And what should we do about it?

The Imperial College Centre for Neurotechnology invites you to an expert-led public panel discussion on the topic of neural enhancement and its effect on society.

Brain enhancement is no longer the distant stuff of science fiction; already, many real-world technologies interface with our brain. Some do so electrically, as with deep brain stimulation or transcranial magnetic stimulation; some do so chemically, as with drugs and nootropics; and some, soon, may even do so genetically.

The current focus is to use these technologies for rehabilitation. However, this naturally tempts us to repurpose these same technologies to enhance our brains and minds, thus raising the possibility of altering ourselves and affecting society in fundamental and challenging ways. The aim of this panel discussion is, aided by the insights of an expert panel, to give answers to the many questions these new technologies raise:

• What effect will emerging neural technologies have on society?
• How effective are these technologies for their current rehabilitative purpose?
• How effective could they be for non-rehabilitative and enhancement purposes?
• How far into the future are we looking?
• How should we, as society, view these technologies from a moral and ethical viewpoint?

Panellists

We are proud to announce that our panel of speakers comprises experts in their fields. They range from scientists with experience in the research and practical implementation of neural interfacing technologies, to surgeons who perform cutting-edge brain implants, to philosophers who investigate the social and ethical impacts of these emerging technologies.

Prof. Dipankar Nandi | Professor of Neurosurgery | Department of Medicine, Imperial College London

Dipankar's research interests lie in functional neurosurgery with deep brain stimulation, and the the electrical-brain interface. He also looks at movement disorders, treatment resistant depression and chronic central pain.

Dr. Patrick Degenaar | Reader in Neuroprosthesis | School of Engineering, Newcastle University

Patrick's research is on the use of brain implantable devices (visual cortical prosthesis and epileptic pacemakers) for rehabilitative applications.

Dr. Jonathan Pugh | Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Applied Moral Philosophy | The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford

Jonathan leads a Wellcome Trust-funded project on the ethics surrounding novel therapeutic applications of deep brain stimulation; he has also published on the ethics of human enhancement.

Dr. Anna Wexler | Science Writer and Postdoctoral Fellow | Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania

Anna's research focuses on the ethical, legal and social issues surrounding emerging technologies, including the use of do-it-yourself medicine and brain stimulation.

Prof. Mina Teicher | Professor of Mathematics | Department of Mathematics and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University

Mina's interest in neuroscience is in the detection of brain signals through brain-interfacing technologies.

Moderator

Dr. Sarah Chan | Chancellors Fellow in Ethics | Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh

Sarah has a wide interest in the ethics of medical research including stem cells, embryo research and reproductive medicine. Human enhancement, gene therapy and genetic modification, along with animal ethics and research ethics, are also areas of study.

Programme

18:30–20:00 | Panel discussion, including audience questions

20:00–21:00 | Drinks and snacks reception

Location

The event will take place at 18:30 in the Lower Ground Floor lecture theatre in the Imperial College Business School. The entrance to Business School is on Exhibition Road (SW7 2AZ).

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