BIOE100 HW11 and rubrics

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Dec 6, 2023

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BioE100 Fall 2023 Homework #11 Assigned November 21, Due November 28 No late submissions will be accepted. Please submit on Gradescope with ample time in case of technical difficulties. Grading rubrics are attached at the end. Please include a word count for debate 7a and 7b separately in your submission. In this last HW we will consider 2 debate topic on Neuroethics that will take place on November 30. Those not doing debate do this part only! Prepare the factual background, in bullet form, of BOTH assigned case studies. Also define the stakeholders and ethical frameworks and moral theories that apply to the two alternatives. Limit of 400 words each. Those who are participating in the oral debate for which you are assigned do questions (a-d). All solutions (a-c) must be typed and all slides (d) for the team must be gathered into one PowerPoint presentation and emailed to Prof. Head-Gordon and GSIs. (a) Prepare the factual background, in bullet form, of the assigned case study. Limit of 200 words. (b) Define the stakeholders and ethical frameworks and moral theories that apply to your team’s alternative (i.e., Blue and Gold) of the case study. Limit of 200 words. (c) Summarize your team’s final action using the 4A’s developed in Q1 and Q2 and provide a rebuttal of the opposing side’s action. Limit of 300 words. (d) Prepare for debate format described in Lecture 2. Each team member should prepare a minimum of 4 PowerPoint slides (preparing to give an oral presentation of ~1 minute per slide, but total time limit must be followed - constructives: 3 minute each, rebuttals: 4 minutes each) given your role on the debate team (as either one of the three constructives or one of the two rebuttals). Debate 7a. Erasing and restoring memory. A number of emerging neurotechnologies ranging from neuropharmaceuticals to deep brain stimulation are allowing the manipulation of brain cells to both erase and restore memory by selectively tuning synapses. Erasing memories could benefit the early 8 million Americans who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked by severe anxiety stemming from a traumatic event such as combat or violent attack. • The Blue Team argue there is a slippery slope of what constitutes a bad memory, that the inability to learn from past unpleasant experiences will impair judgment about future actions, how will the government (such as the military) use this technology, and that memories are the essence of who we are as individuals and societies.. • The Gold Team state that erasure of the traumatic memory would allow the “true” person to function, that it can help not just with PTSD but for those who suffer from
chronic pain, and cite that these neurotechnologies have the potential to be more precise and effective than psychotherapy or broad anti-anxiety medications. Research the memory erasure case study and use the 4A’s to develop your team position. Debate 7b. Neuralink. Neuralink, a startup co-founded by Elon Musk, is developing technology to improve the connection between humans and computers through implanted chips in the brain. When combined with AI, these technologies have the potential to decode brain activity through information gathered from a brain-chip interface that could help severely disabled patients to move and communicate, and even restore vision by decoding brain activity. Eventually, these chips could be mass produced and may be used for non-medical purposes like leveling the intellectual playing field, allowing for telepathic communication, or to steam music or shows without the need for typing or even hardware. • The Blue Team states that, like AI, these technologies are developing too fast and are too powerful such that we need regulation now to limit Neuralink (and its competitors) to health solutions only such as correcting debilitative strokes and trauma, for psychological disorders such as OCD, and for movement and to help restore vision. Furthermore, mixing the interface between human and machine may create an artificial human/humanized machine that violates biological order and is susceptible to malevolent manipulation by rogue groups and governments. • The Gold Team states that we cannot deprive ourselves of the potential benefits of "intelligent" brain implants and their applications to not just medical diagnostic and therapeutic gaps in various brain-body disorders, but also to enhance human life itself. It could improve social relations by revolutionizing communication and breaking down language barriers. It could lead to a workforce with enhanced skills and knowledge, driving innovation and progress in all areas of society, and even address existential threats such as the rise of superintelligent AI. Use the 4A’s to develop your team’s position.
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