About CNS

The Center for Neurotechnology Studies (CNS) is directed by Dr. James Giordano. CNS provides neutral, in-depth analysis of matters at the intersection of neuroscience and technology—neurotechnology—and public policy. The Center anticipates ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) associated with emerging neurotechnology, and shepherds constructive discourse on these issues. It provides a forum for reasoned consideration of issues both by subject area experts and by the public. The Center partners with the research community for discourse and consultation on ethically sound neurotechnology research and applications. The Center cultivates and stewards knowledge and discussion on the implications of neurotechnology in academic, administrative, entrepreneurial, regulatory, legislative and judicial enterprises. CNS serves as authoritative counsel to government agencies pursuing neurotechnology by providing expertise in the sciences, ethics, law and social policy.

Click below to watch a video describing the mission and focus of CNS.

Activities of the Center for Neurotechnology Studies

The Center actively shepherds research and public debate on neurotechnology, and advises public and private sectors working to study and develop neuroscience and technology. These objectives are achieved through:

Research: CNS is dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of the foci, use, and impact(s) of neurotechnology, particularly as relates to ethical, legal and social issues arising in and from this field.

Workshops/Seminars: CNS hosts lectures, seminars, and other activities to address development and issues of neurotechnology.

Briefings: The Center informs policy-makers and agency personnel on emerging scientific, ethical, legal and social issues related to the development and implementation of neurotechnologies.

Publications: The Center publishes papers on all aspects of neurotechnology in monographs, specialized journals, and the popular press. This contribution to the public debate fosters a broader and deeper understanding, and helps to shape a more reasoned and productive dialogue on these issues.

Visiting Scholars: The CNS encourages research collaboration and invites participation of visiting scholars with aligned interests.

For further information please email us: CNS (at) potomacinstitute (dot) org.

Prof. James Giordano Blogs on Neuroscience and Ethics

Prof. James Giordano, PhD, is a neuroscientist, Vice President for Academic Programs and Director of the Center for Neurotechnology Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prof. Giordano's new blog, NeuroBioEthics, addresses current issues in neuroscience and complements CNS' mission to provide neutral, in-depth analysis of issues at the intersection of neurotechnology, neuroethics, and public policy. For more information about CNS, watch the video on this page. For more information about Prof. Giordano, click here.

Follow Prof. James Giordano on Twitter @Neurobioethics

Prof. James Giordano, PhD, is a neuroscientist, Vice President for Academic Programs and Director of the Center for Neurotechnology Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prof. Giordano Tweets on current events in neuroscience, neurotechnology and neuroethics, and you can follow his CNS Twitter feed @Neurobioethics. CNS' mission is to provide neutral, in-depth analysis of issues at the intersection of neurotechnology, neuroethics, and public policy. For more information about CNS, watch the video on this page. For more information about Prof. Giordano, click here.

What Is CCNELSI?

The Capital Consortium for Neuroscience: Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (CCNELSI), www.ccnelsi.com, was developed by Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Vice President of Academic Programs, Prof. James Giordano, PhD. CCNELSI operates in conjunction with the Institute and its Center for Neurotechnology Studies as a forum for the exploration of emerging issues in neuroscience and accompanying ethical concerns. CCNELSI partners with area academic and research institutions to enrich the intellectual life of the DC and Northern Virginia communities. Click below to watch a video in which Prof. Giordano explains CCNELSI's mission.

What is Neurotechnology?

Neurotechnology: Present and Future

Advances in technology have enabled rapid progress in neuroscience. New technologies have allowed investigation and elucidation of mechanisms and functions of the brain that have broad impact. Neuroimaging, neurostimulatory and neuroprosthetic devices, as well as development of unique pharmacological agents and approaches have shown considerable promise in treating brain disease(s) and injury. These emerging technologies have equally strong potential to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of consciousness, cognition, emotions and behaviors may influence current and future concepts of mind, and may expand capabilities of human-machine interactions, and the boundaries of human performance. Thus, neurotechnology has the potential to transform nearly every aspect of society. This necessitates unifying scientific efforts toward inter-disciplinary discourse that aims to 1) shape ethical conduct in research practice and social policy, 2) support infrastructure and resources needed to advance responsible development of neurotechnology, and 3) ensure and direct the applications of these developments toward the public good.

The Role of the Center for Neurotechnology Studies

The CNS seeks to play a leading role in developing and sustaining such discourse. This requires keen awareness of frontier areas of neuroscience and technology, and identification of public values and goods. Through intra- and extramural collaboration, the CNS strives to be a national and international resource for information, analysis, guidelines and policy planning. In these ways, the CNS contributes expertise to the international forum on the moral, legal and socio-political issues that arise in, and from studies and applications of neuroscience and technology. This direction reflects and responds to the growth and trajectory of international interest in geno- neuro- and nano-ethics that has been spawned by achievements of the Human Genome Project, the Congressionally-declared Decade of the Brain (1990-2000), and Decade of Pain Control and Research (2000-2010), and which are focal to potential future programs, including the Decade of the Mind, and National Neurotechnology Initiative.

National Neurotechnology Initiative (NNTI)

National Neurotechnology Initiative (NNTI) Goals:

- Develop the supporting infrastructure and tools needed to advance neurotechnology;
- Develop a highly advanced, interdisciplinary, interagency R&D program in neurotechnology;
- Facilitate development and transfer of new technologies in medicine, assistive devices, learning, computing, and other products that will benefit the public good and national interest; and,
- Support responsible development of neurotechnology through research in ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) arising from emerging technologies.

Staff and Advisory Board

Staff

James Giordano, Ph.D.

Senior Fellow, Director

Dan Howlader, Researcher

Advisory Board

Fred Gage, Ph.D.

Professor, Laboratory of Genetics,

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

James Olds, Ph.D.
Director, The Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University

John Rasure, Ph.D.

President & CEO, The MIND Institute

Bruce Rosen, M.D., Ph.D.

Director, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging,

Harvard University/MIT

Erik Viirre, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Surgery and Department of

Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego

Gerald Yonas, Ph.D.

University of New Mexico