Neuroimaging is the use of techniques to directly or indirectly analyse structure and function of the brain and nervous system. Questions about the nature and origins of human identity and behaviour have been the focus of the medical industries since ancient times, aiming to understand the structure, function and nature of the brain (Illes, J., 2003). As a new field of neuroscience, professionals use neuroimaging to detect conditions in humans, leading to medical, psychological, therapeutic and non-therapeutic innovations, extending beyond expected boundaries of information. With advanced technologies, new circumstances have been created in which accuracy and ethical issues create challenges for both patients and doctors (Illes, J., et al 2006). …show more content…
et al 2009). However, the techniques do demonstrate that humans could routinely recruit specific regions to perform such tasks. Furthermore, neuroimaging records only momentary states, whilst inferences on propensity and personality are not established. This could dilapidate all known data, as for example, claimed by Fuchs, T. (2006), if quiescently aggressive offenders were imaged, ascribable to the knowledge that most act with low emotional involvement, despite fundamental usefulness, it could not supplement or replace criteria within the criminal justice system. Furthermore, fMRI scans can be difficult to interpret- for example, researcher Marco Lacoboni tested amygdala activity in several individuals to assume political beliefs through activity portrayed as anger. However, emotions of reward and desire could have also been elicited by amygdala activity, thereby the certainty of the images portrayals were inconclusive (Watson, S. 2008). The misinterpretation of brain scans attributable by psychological states or traits entails the risks that the information could be used for or against one legally unscrupulously (Roskies, A. …show more content…
Neuroimaging data sharing is commonly hindered by inaccurate information, leading to reduced compliance, trust and discrimination in health coverage or employment (Illes, J. et al 2003). Brain processes are intimately connected to personal identity, thereby a major ethical issue is the exploitation of scans on incapable people, revealing innermost beliefs (Illes, J. 2003). For example, according to Hinton, V. (2002), neuroimaging used in pediatrics may be deemed unethical, using scans of children lacking rational capabilities to make informed decisions by interpreting their data. Most forms of neuroimaging release radiation, which, as Lin, E. (2010) stated, increases risk of cancer attributable to disruptions in the cell cycle, and angiography involves the use of a radioactive ‘dye’ which could cause kidney failure or allergic reactions (Chudler, H., PhD, 2017). Different countries have regulations regarding protection of human data, with subjects having the right to withdraw their data from a study. However it may be impossible to remove already shared data as consent documents do not mention broad data sharing, thereby breaching ethical barriers (Poline, J. et al 2012). Additionally, many neuroimaging researchers are unaware of their obligation to communicate research results