BrainMind’s commitment to neuroethics is central to our mission to advance neuroscience research and entrepreneurship that will most benefit humanity.

As BrainMind develops new philanthropic and investing approaches to promote the positive impact of brain science, we recognize that that conversations on ethical issues should inform our decisions and those of our community. With our vision to form a new vital connective tissue between the lab and the world at large, our ethics initiative considers how to maximize the potential benefits and minimize the hazards that accompany rapid innovations in brain science.

MULTISECTORAL NEUROETHICS INITIATIVE: ADVISORY SESSIONS

BrainMind will host a global multi-sectoral neuroethics Summit focused on the development, distribution, and use of existing and near-term neurotechnology innovations at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in California. This gathering will kick off a decadal review and ongoing engagement of guiding principles for how scientists, industry, and users engage with the major innovations in the field. A defining feature of the event will be the inclusion of multilateral players in the private sector, including industry stakeholders, investors, and entrepreneurs.  

BrainMind began the planning process in 2020 with support for the Charles A. Dana Foundation, the Kavli Foundation, and the Duke Initiative for Science and Society. On February 27—29, 2020, BrainMind convened its first neuroethics advisory committee meeting with leading neuroscientists, neuroethicists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors and affirmed the opportunity to form a “practical layer” between conceptual neuroethics frameworks and their functional applications in research and product creation. 

The pandemic hit the United States just weeks after this initial gathering, resulting in a delay of the large in-person gathering component of BrainMind’s neuroethics initiative to 2022. In 2021, BrainMind has been convening sector-specific advisory meetings in a virtual setting. BrainMind is committed to building relationships and engaging our community on the topic of neuroethics and is continuing to build momentum for the initiative.