Connectomics Part I: We're in Heated Agreement Over Here

Welcome back to Neurotech Pub!

In this first installment of two episodes on Connectomics, host and Paradromics CEO Matt Angle kicks off a lively discussion on the rapidly accelerating research in the mapping, preservation, and reconstruction of the human connectome. We explore the ethical and legal ramifications of disruptive technology, and some of the unique challenges faced when driving innovation in emerging industries.

Our guests are:

• Nita Faraheny, JD, PhD, Everett Distinguished Professor of Law & Philosophy at Duke Law School, the Founding Director of Duke Science & Society, the Faculty Chair of the Duke MA in Bioethics & Science Policy, and principal investigator of SLAP Lab.

• Kenneth Hayworth, PhD, President and Co-Founder of the Brain Preservation Foundation, Senior Scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Farm Research Campus (JFRC)

• Robert McIntyre, CEO at Nectome

As an exciting new development since the recording of this episode, Nita recently published a book, The Battle for Your Brain, which examines many topics in neuroethics, from Connectomics to Brain-Computer Interfaces. It is currently available on Amazon.

Keep an eye out for part two in this series, which will take a deep dive into the latest technical and engineering innovations in the connectomics ecosystem. Coming soon!

‍Please be advised that this episode contains a brief discussion of assisted suicide in a medical setting.

Show Notes:

0:00 | Episode Intro

1:16 | Nita A. Farahany, JD, PhD

1:21 | Kenneth Hayworth, PhD

1:27 | Robert McKintyre, CEO, Nectome

1:56 | Meeting of the minds

2:53 | Aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation wins final phase of brain preservation prize

3:56 | The Brain Preservation Foundation

4:09 | Documentary series on the Brain Preservation Foundation

5:21 | Letter of Support for Aldehyde Stabilized Cryopreservation (and ‘next steps’ caveats)

5:51 | Nita's 2018 Neuroethics Ted Talk

5:54 | International Neuroethics Society

6:25 | Connectomics & new paths in neuroscience

8:10 | Allen Institute for Brain Science

8:47 | A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain

9:33 | A visual intro to synaptic imaging in connectomics

10:28 | The structure of the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

11:16 | Mouse Connectome Project at CIC

14:59 | Cryonics controversy

19:00 | Death, taxes, and synapses

20:51 | Uniform Law Commission

21:08 | The Uniform Determination of Death Act

24:25 | Watch Altered Carbon on Netflix

25:49 | Understanding the “Loss of Chance” Doctrine

37:13 | Understanding Physician-Assisted Death, or ‘Death with Dignity’

40:21 | Euthanasia in the Netherlands

46:01 | Autonomy, Dignity, and Consent to Harm, Rutgers Law Review

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