Introducing the Neuroethics Society

I am pleased to spread news of the formation of the "Neuroethics Society," an interdisciplinary professional organization dedicated to all things neuroethics.  At its website, you will find information about its mission, its brief recent history, and its governance.

The organization seeks to attract a wide range of people interested in legal and ethical issues related to the neurosciences.  Neuroethicist Martha Farah, at the University of Pennsylvania, tells me that:

We are really open to a diversity of perspectives and want our society to serve the field as a whole.  Of course we want "the usual suspects," many of whom helped found the society and have already made contributions to the field of neuroethics.  But we also want the smart, inquiring neuroscientists, lawyers, clinicians, humanists, engineers, and students . . . people who are interested in the issues of neuroethics and can help move it forward by bringing their new ideas and perspectives into the field.

The society has partnered with the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience and with the American Journal of Bioethics (AJOB) to bring you more of the latest in neuroethics.  In 2007, AJOB will expand from 6 to 12 issues annually; 3 of these new issues, collectively titled AJOB-Neuroscience, will be devoted to neuroethics.

I am told that the first two meetings of the Neuroethics Society will be held as satellite meetings of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society in mid-April 2008 in San Francisco and mid-April 2009 in NYC.  In addition, the organization has plans to host some events at other meetings in 2006-2007.

According to Martha, "There are so many of us working on problems related to neuroethics, in such a range of different disciplines, that we need a forum where we can talk together, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.  I am hoping that people will sign up and participate fully."  Speaking of which, you can find out more about membership here.  The website is expected to support PayPal registration in a few weeks.

Comments

[Caitlin Connors]

Excellent. Attention to bioethics and neuroethics issues is increasing so rapidly -- it will be so nice to have an organized forum for discussion. I mentioned this news over at Yale and ears perked up quickly. Can't wait to see how discussion develops as this group grows.

Thanks for the notice!