We study emerging knowledge and technologies in neuroscience and genomics and their ethical, legal, and social implications for our everyday lives, medicine, public health, employment, education, and other contexts. We study these issues by bringing together researchers from multiple disciplines (e.g., bioethics, philosophy, experimental and social psychology, anthropologists), and collaborating with scientists and clinicians working on relevant technologies, as well as potential endusers. Our goal is to conduct action-oriented research that can identify, examine, and advance potential solutions to challenges raised by emerging knowledge and technologies.

To identify challenging ethical, legal, and social implications of medical and scientific developments we use ethical, legal, and policy analyses, as well as empirical approaches such as key-stakeholder interviews (e.g., technology developers, trial participants, endusers, care partners), public perception surveys, surveys examining research and medical practices related to the integration of biotechnology in clinical care.

We study issues such as: 1) what is necessary for the responsible development and use of neural prostheses or brain implants such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems, and non-invasive neural devices in both children and adults; 2) how do advances in neuroscience challenge current notions of identity, privacy, respect, space, control, justice; and 3) how to use human fidelity “the measurable degree to which a device, its access workflows and associated messaging are aligned with the empirically determined needs and expectations of key stakeholders across the full development and clinical translation pipeline” to promote trust, access, and uptake of beneficial neurotechnologies.

Another key line of research is on the implications of developments in genomics and the integration of genomics into medical and other contexts. We are currently examining the perspectives of clinicians and patients on the use of genomic embryo screening for polygenic conditions (e.g., psychiatric disorders, diabetes) and traits (e.g., height, “intelligence” or cognitive ability) also known as polygenic embryo screening (PES). Another active line of research is on the responsible use of psychiatric polygenic risk scores, including substance use disorder genomic tools, with children, adolescents, and adults within clinical and other contexts such as education, employment, banking, insurance, and housing.