Dr James Giordano of Georgetown University Medical Center

The growth of neuroscience and technology (i.e. - neuroS/T) has prompted growing interest in, development of, and concerns about the use of such techniques and tools in warfare, intelligence and national security (WINS) contexts. Many neuroS/T developments are poised for current or near-future translation to investigational to operational levels, thereby moving from “the research bench to the battlefield”.  

Such neuroS/T includes various drugs, and neurotechnologies for training and performance optimization of intelligence and combat personnel; and using types of transcranial electrical signal detection in brain-computer interfaces to control aircraft or vessel systems or unmanned vehicles. As well, WINS initiatives also entail the development and engagement of agents (e.g.- drugs, microbes, toxins) and devices as weapons (“neuroweapons”) to affect and modify opponents’ thoughts, feelings, senses, actions, health, or in some cases, to incur lethal consequences.  As the recent events involving novochuk, VX, sarin, and the possible use of a neuroweapon to affect US Embassy personnel illustrate, these developments pose real and present threat. 

In this lecture, neuroscientist and neuroethicist Dr. James Giordano of Georgetown University Medical Center, provides description and realistic appraisal of the capabilities and limits of neuroS/T in WINS, methods and scenarios for their use, and technical and ethical issues and steps of their oversight, guidance and governance.

Biography:

Speaker Bio:

Dr. James Giordano, is Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry, and Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program of the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics at the Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, and is currently appointed as Donovan Group Senior Fellow in Biowarfare, Biosecurity, and Ethics, US Special Operations Command.  As well, Dr. Giordano is also Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Coburg, Germany.

He has served as a Research Fellow and Task Leader of the Dual Use Subprogram of the European Union Human Brain Project; as a consultant in brain science and neurotechnology to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); as Senior Science Advisory Fellow of the Joint Staff of the Pentagon; as an appointed member of the Neuroethics, Legal and Social Issues Advisory Panel of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA); and as an appointed member of the US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s Advisory Council for Human Research Protection.   

Prof. Giordano is the author of over 290 publications, 7 books, and 15 governmental whitepapers on brain science and ethics. He was awarded a PhD in biological psychology from the City University of NY, was NIEHS post-doctoral fellow in neurotoxicology and pathology at the Johns Hopkins University, and completed post-graduate training in ethics and health policy at Loyola University, IL.  

In recognition of his ongoing work and achievements, he has been elected to the European Academy of Science and Arts, and the Dana Alliance of Brain Initiatives; and has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK); and a Distinguished Lecturer of IEEE SSIT. 

The Chapter is seeking nominations for leadership positions for 2019.  Please contact Murty Polavarapu (murtyp@ieee.org) if you are interested.

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