Shroothi Ramesh

Academy Capstone- 6
November 03, 2016
Mrs. McMennamy
TW #3
Subtopic 3: Ethics in Neuroscience and Advocacy
Though research done on music and the brain is quite extensive, in-depth studies have
only started to emerge within the last decade. The importance and value of music has been
widely established within the scientific community as well as many others. This has led for the
merge of the arts and science to begin within many other fields of study like medicine. As this
continues to evolve, there are a number of aspects to consider in favor of prospects such as
ethical implications, and allowing art and science to advance together rather than two separate
fields.
As technology plays a larger part in our lives, it is important to consider ethical
implications of scientific studies done to understand the vital parts of human nature. Generally
speaking, the primary concern in terms of ethics with such studies that are already noninvasive is
the aspect of privacy in regard to the information collected. A study done in 2004 claimed that
imaging can be used to infer peoples psychological traits and states, in many cases without the
persons cooperation or consent. It can be used, in effect, as a crude form of mind reading
(Farah et. al, 2004). However, with accumulated research in reference, this is not entirely true.
Though psychological states of mind can be inferred, specific thoughts and instances cannot be

read accurately. Another aspect of neuroscience that was concerning to the general public was the
information available form neuroimaging scans like genetic data. The structure of the brain has
the potential to reveal personal and familial genetic traits and variations, thus when conducting
imaging studies people worry about their privacy rights to be infringed upon (Gray et. al, 2004).
Thus on occasion, test subjects are uncomfortable releasing scans and other information to the
public research community regardless of whether the study concerns that particular field or not.
The ethics of neuroscience today, though not obsolete, is less debated than it was a decade ago.
However, the field still faces challenges in the scientific community as well as others.
The merge between art and science is becoming prominent in the medical field as well as
other parts of society. For example, the Laboratory for Brain Machine Interface Systems within
the Electrical Engineering Department has been working on a project called Exquisite Corps
alongside the art community in Houston. I had the unique opportunity to be a part of their
projects and studies recently. The Exquisite Corps study takes 3 artists in a specific field, like
music or visual art, and has them all work on portions of a piece in successive order without
conversing. The study essentially examines the complexity of the creative process and the impact
that has socially since the artist cannot communicate but only view the last line written, drawn,
or played. Engineering departments all over the world work on projects like this, sharing their
research for the greater good. The arts and other fields of study should not be seen as separate
entities, but rather, should be integrated together for the purpose of higher education and learning
(Kopteva, A. E., 2016). Integrated education allows for art and science to merge effectively and
efficiently. The prospects from such improvements in the scholarly community would have an
effect in other parts of society as well with better learning techniques and understanding. Art
integrated education programs have the potential to be extremely effective for students of all

ages. Music increases elasticity in the brain which is also what the general public calls learning
(Reimer, 2005). Thus, music intertwined with other subjects in early education would help
reinforce lessons and help students achieve a holistic education. However, some fields have yet
to accept this change of perception.

Overall, art and science go together hand in hand as these fields progress in the same
direction, and change should be welcomed for the benefits society could receive from this.
Integration of the arts needs to be accepted in other fields like education, engineering, and
technology more than it is now. Often times, art integration is seen as useless or impractical
which is what the practice of music therapy encountered when it was first introduced. Many
people in the medical community saw music therapy as a distraction rather than something
productive (Kopteva, A. E., 2016). However, that changed once results started to show. Granted,
music therapy is used more as a supplement rather than alternative medicine. The number of
music therapists have grown in the last decade and practices have become more effective and
also more respected within the medical community. This initial animosity is inevitable for
integration of the arts in other fields like engineering and technology but are essential if progress
is wanted. For this to occur art and music programs should be invested in, within schools. Music
in particular contains experiential qualities that are only available with music itself; these
qualities are what our brains and bodies are built for (Reimer, 2005). Music is an essential part of
life and always will be. There is no reason to not want to influence learning through creative
venues like music and art.
Music influences us on a daily basis when simply listening to a song. It is vital to society
and peoples all over the world, and contains meaning that can only be conveyed in this way.

Music has the potential to impact the world for the better. As a famous musician once said,
Music can change the world because it can change people.

Works Cited
Farah, M., Wolpe, P. R. (2004). Monitoring and Manipulating the Human Brain: New
Neuroscience Technologies and their Ethical Implications. Neuroethics Publications.

Retrieved from http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1006&context=neuroethics_pubs
Gray, J. R., Thompson, P. (2004). Neurobiology of Intelligence: Science and Ethics. Nature
Reviews Neuroscience. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8554484_Neurobiology_of_intelligence_Scienc
e_and_ethics
Kopteva, A. E. (2016, October 30). Personal Interview.
Reimer, B. (2005).New Brain Research on Emotion and Feeling: Dramatic Implications for
Music Education. National Science Foundation. Retrieved from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.476.8881&rep=rep1&type=pdf