E-Portfolio 5

For E-Portfolio 5, I am required to summarise on the round table discussion for our EG1471

The roundtable discussion is about brain mapping also known as fMRI and whether the Government should regulate a set of rules and regulation on the use of brain mapping. The participants of this roundtable discussion consist of me, Xiao Jian and Alvan. Our respective position for this discussion is opposing view, supporting view and moderator.

Alvan being the moderator for this roundtable discussion kickstart the discussion by introducing what is brain mapping and its uses. As per Alvan, brain mapping is a tool that detects and locates brain activity when people think about a specific word or an object. Researchers have develop a more sophiscated that correlates with behavior such as tendencies towards mental disorders, alcoholism, aggression and even racism. After the introduction, Alvan mention that though brain mappings have positve effects on the society but it poses potential adverse effect. Thus it leads to a string of questions for this discussion.

The first thing that was discussed was; would the use the brain process information really benefit one? Xiao Jian stated that it could be used in medical field for early detection of common brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and etc... Early detection could lead to early prevention or cure for the certain brain disease. He also suggested the use of brain mapping for criminal interrogations. This could be used on serious offense criminal especially on the terrorist as they pose very serious threat to the nation security. As a opposer to the brain mapping, I stated that it could lead to many issues such as racism and ethical issues. Currently there is no set of rules and regulation for brain mapping. I used real life experience to elaborate on some issue caused by brain mapping. I used the case of Nancy a pilot who was sacked and had her license revoked due to a brain scanning test for her yearly body checkup. Though the test showed that she had symptoms of potential brain disease and her familiarity to firearms, it is not confirmed that she will sucumbed to it as the test is not proven 100% accurate as for the time of the test. The test could invade on the person's privacy and security issues to which lead to the next part of the discussion. Though a criminal may be guilty of their crimes they had done but it did not meant that they must divulge their on private matters to the police. They had their own human rights to reject. The other main problem that they may face was that if they reject the scanning, it could affect the jury's decision.

The next part of the discussion is about what ethical issue that brain mapping could lead. Human beings will abused the power of the test to choose whether their kids are suitable for certain activities and etc.I stated that employers could use the result of the test to determine who they should employ for example like seeing which of the apllicants are more hardworking or more loyal to the company. It could be very unfair for the other applicants as said before, the result is not 100% accurate. I mentioned about the cost of the scan is expensive and it could be very unfair for people who do not have the money to go for the scan whom may really need to go for the test. I mentioned in the discussion that there were no sectors or organisations that will ensure that the scan results will not leak out and a place to ask for authorisation for the test. Xiao Jian mention that the Government will have to set up a organization that will ensure the security of the test and a place to allow people to seek for authorization for the use of brain scanning on human.

Lastly, Alvan concluded on the discussion by mentioning that Government should setup a organization to ensure privacy of the tests and to prevent other people to use the test for personal or commercially used. The discussion is a very good one as it covers most of the issues that could be a concern for a lot of people.