Neuroethics, in its modern form, investigates the impact of brain science in four basic dimensions: the self, social policy, practice and discourse. In this study, we analyzed a set of 461 peer-reviewed articles with neuroethics content, published by authors from 32 countries. We analyzed the data for: (1) trends in the development of international neuroethics over time, and (2) how challenges at the intersection of ethics and neuroscience are viewed in countries that are considered developed by International Monetary Fund (IMF) (...) standards, and in those that are developing. Our results demonstrate a steady increase in global participation in neuroethics from 1989 to 2005, characterized by an increase in numbers of articles published specifically on neuroethics, journals publishing these articles, and countries contributing to the literature. The focus from all countries was on the practice of brain science and the amelioration of neurological disease. Indicators of technology creation and diffusion in developing countries were specifically correlated with increases in publications concerning policy implications of brain science. Neuroethics is an international endeavor and, as such, should be sensitive to the impact that context has on acceptance and use of technological innovation. (shrink)

Major challenges have marked the field of bioethics over the past two decades. Parallel to a rapid expansion of knowledge in genomics and molecular biology, the field of neuroscience has markedly expanded to become one of the leading fields in biomedical science and health research worldwide, generating an endless stream of exciting new discoveries and development. As the number and the scope of neuroscience studies on cognitive and social behavior are still rapidly expanding, issues related to either the ethics of (...) neuroscience or the neuroscience of ethics continue to emerge, challenging academicians, governments and civil society as a whole. The increasingly global nature of scientific inquiries and healthcare research requires international participation to address all key issues related to biomedical ethics in general. The globalization of perspectives in neuroethics is essential for increasing knowledge of neuroscience and cross-fertilizing ideas for global health in neurological and psychiatric domains. (shrink)