Archive for Mei 2007
Om die brein te verstaan
Eers is daar gedink dat die brein ‘n onveranderlike masjien is. Sekere dele van die brein is vir sekere funksies verantwoordelik. Dit blyk dat die verklaring heeltemal te eenvoudig was:
Now sophisticated experimental techniques suggest the brain is more like a Disney-esque animated sea creature. Constantly oozing in various directions, it is apparently able to respond to injury with striking functional reorganization, and can at times actually think itself into a new anatomic configuration, in a kind of word-made-flesh outcome far more characteristic of Lourdes than the National Institutes of Health.
Die navorsing hou baie belofte in vir mense met breinbeserings. As die brein genoegsaam met elektrodes gestimuleer word, kan die brein homself “herbedraad”. Die navorsing het ook verdere implikasies:
From this still relatively primitive experimental data, theories can be constructed for the entirety of human experience: creativity and love, addiction and obsession, anger and grief — all, presumably, are the products of distinct electrical associations that may be manipulated by the brain itself, and by the brains of others, for better or worse.
Natuurlik is daar ook etiese implikasies:
And, of course, the implications for external re-engineering of the human brain are ominous, for if the brain is malleable it is also endlessly vulnerable, not only to its own mistakes but also to the ambitions and excesses of others, whether they are misguided parents, well-meaning cultural trendsetters or despotic national leaders.
Ons beweeg vinnig nader na ‘n situasie waar biologiese ingenieurswese ‘n realiteit word. Nie net word die mens uitgedaag met idees soos “designer babies” nie, maar stel jou voor dat ons binnekort ‘n biologiese verklaring (en oplossing) vir iets soos rassisme kry. Moet mense wat die “kwaal” het gaan vir behandeling, of berus die keuse by elke individu?
Die gesprek rondom individuele vryheid vs. sosiale verantwoordelikheid is nog lank nie verby nie. Inteendeel, dit lyk asof dit nog belangriker gaan raak in die toekoms.
