Ethical Implications of Whole Brain Emulation Research
Miranda L. Daniel
National University
PSYC427: Biological Psychology
Professor Kathleen Bailey
December 1st, 2024
Abstract
, Whole Brain Emulation (WBE) which describes the brain structure and functionality in the form
of a computation system has promising value for neuroscience and for treating neurological
diseases. But it also poses considerable ethical questions. This paper critically examines two key
ethical implications of WBE: conscience and personhood in copied minds, and for exploitation
and corrupted use. The first subject of a mature science fiction magazine is whether abWill an
emulated brain has real consciousness, and if so, whether it will be a human being that has rights
and morals’. The second issue is to expand the idea of an emulated mind for exploitation, like
digital labor or surveillance, and breach of privacy. In this paper, the author will discuss that
WBE poses profound ethical issues that, with the aid of Introduction to Brain and Behavior
(Kalat, 2020) and other academic sources, deserve significant discussion and the regulation to
prevent misuse of the technology.
Introduction
Miranda L. Daniel
National University
PSYC427: Biological Psychology
Professor Kathleen Bailey
December 1st, 2024
Abstract
, Whole Brain Emulation (WBE) which describes the brain structure and functionality in the form
of a computation system has promising value for neuroscience and for treating neurological
diseases. But it also poses considerable ethical questions. This paper critically examines two key
ethical implications of WBE: conscience and personhood in copied minds, and for exploitation
and corrupted use. The first subject of a mature science fiction magazine is whether abWill an
emulated brain has real consciousness, and if so, whether it will be a human being that has rights
and morals’. The second issue is to expand the idea of an emulated mind for exploitation, like
digital labor or surveillance, and breach of privacy. In this paper, the author will discuss that
WBE poses profound ethical issues that, with the aid of Introduction to Brain and Behavior
(Kalat, 2020) and other academic sources, deserve significant discussion and the regulation to
prevent misuse of the technology.
Introduction
