Today people are dazzled by the rapid technological development. Such great achievements tremendously enhance our life. However, they bring a series of problems as well, especially ethical issues. How to balance between science and ethics becomes a puzzle faced by scientists.
Researchers now can decode some brain activities through brain image scan. Though the ability to analyze and predict the brain information is limited now, its potential capability, maybe in the near future, can be very powerful. This technique can be applied in the criminal investigation, study of brain disorders and even education. Yet the abuses of this technology are a huge concern because of the ethical issues along with it. The technology may be used for intrusions on people’s privacy. It can retrieve the information from someone’s brain without his/her willingness or permission. The technology is also likely to be used to test children’s potential. Obviously this will cause discrimination if the child is found not talented.
To minimize these negative effects, an explicit regulation should be set up. First, the access needs to be restricted. Only people having specialization in the brain scan can access the technology. It will guarantee the prediction of brain scan accurate and reliable. Second, the application of the brain scan should be limited. It can only be operated under close supervision. This ensures only the information legally permitted will be retrieved from the brain image.
The technology is developing every day. However, how to utilize the technology wisely is more important than make it more powerful. After all, the human beings ourselves are the ultimate concern.
