NeuroElliePang
Ellie Pang
My Ethical Investigation Research
My research delved into crucial inquiries and ramifications pertinent to the exploration of Cerebral Organoids Model Neurodevelopmental Disorders and its prospective trajectory. We transitioned from what neuroscience enables to what it morally necessitates.
The use of cerebral organoids in neurodevelopmental disorder research presents significant Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI). Ethically, the development and use of these 3D brain-like structures derived from human stem cells raise concerns about the value and respect for human life, especially regarding consent and the potential exploitation of donors’ cells. Legally, the framework for obtaining and using donor consent needs to be robust and clear, ensuring that donors are fully informed about current and future uses of their cells. This includes addressing whether donors retain any rights or ownership over their derived organoids. Socially, there is a risk of inequality in access to the benefits of this technology, particularly if it becomes commercialized. Furthermore, the privacy and confidentiality of donor information must be rigorously protected, adhering to regulations like HIPAA and GDPR, to prevent misuse of personal data. The potential for brain organoids to develop complex characteristics similar to a human brain also raises philosophical questions about identity and agency. Overall, while cerebral organoids offer profound insights and advancements in treating neurodevelopmental disorders, careful consideration of these ethical, legal, and social dimensions is crucial to ensure responsible and equitable use of the technology.
My Ethical Analysis
Presentation
In the Advanced Medical Neuroscience Internship, I worked directly with some of the world’s leading scientists to learn about neuroethics, neurocognitive health, and revolutionary developments in the field.
I had the honor of presenting my research to a distinguished panel of judges, among them Dr. James Giordano, Chief of Georgetown University’s Neuroethics Studies Program.
My presentation aimed to engage in discourse and shed light on the ethical considerations inherent in reviewing research about Cerebral Organoids Model Neurodevelopmental Disorders for the esteemed judges.
The Frontier of Neuroscience
Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging
The Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging (CFMI) at Georgetown is one of the world’s leading institutions with expertise in structural, functional, and brain imaging.
While visiting the CFMI, I met Dr. Ashley VanMeter, Director of the Neuroimaging Corps at Georgetown University, who described to me the rationale, protocols, capabilities, and limitations of functional magnetic resonance imaging for clinical and basic science applications.
I not only learned about the science behind fMRI, but also had the opportunity to see a machine that possesses a magnetic power of 30,000 times the strength of Earth’s magnetic field.
Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation is a technology that electrically stimulates nerves or chemically targets neurological sites to treat a vast array of conditions and symptoms.
I specifically learned about transcranial direct current stimulation and the neuromodulation devices available for public purchase. These technologies provide external electrical stimulation through a helmet or headband of electrodes.
To further demonstrate the applications of neuromodulation, we learned about electrical stimulation, perception of stimuli, and used the electrical activity captured from flexing my own muscle to contract the muscle of another intern. Through this, we could control each other’s arms!
Internship Highlights
- Dr. James Giordano
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- The Creative Brain
- Experts & Mentors
I had the chance to work and collaborate directly with Dr. James Giordano, Chief of Georgetown University’s Neuroethics Studies Program.
In addition to his involvement with a variety of educational institutions, Dr. Giordano is the author of over 350 publications in neuroscience and neuroethics.
During our first meeting, Dr. Giordano guided us through an exploration of our own brains, minds, and selves, probing for the problems, meanings, and questions within the world that surrounds us.
In subsequent meetings, Dr. Giordano frequently prompted both introspection and extrospection to encourage familiarity with our own minds, as well as our environment, and how the two can interact to our benefit.
I had the unique opportunity to learn from Dr. Michael Okun, a neurologist, neuroscientist, and founder of the University of Florida’s Movement Disorders Program.
The university’s program aims to provide interdisciplinary and integrated care that facilitates communication between all members of their team to provide the best care possible.
Within his work, Dr. Okun utilizes Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which operates like a pacemaker within the brain and is often inserted via conscious surgery.
During this operation, electrodes are put in the brain to regulate electrical signals and help with conditions like Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Dystonia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Essential Tremor.
I had the opportunity to discuss stimulating creativity through brain science with Dr. Adam Green, the Director of the Lab for Relational Cognition at Georgetown University.
Dr. Green maintains that creative insights are “the product of connections made between things other people didn’t put together,” and we explored the neurological foundations of this theory.
In one of his most prominent experiments, Dr. Green had participants draw the analogies to evaluate semantic distance and creativity as explained above, but also regarded the potential role of neuromodulation.
tDCS is transcranial direct current stimulation, which is a non-invasive “helmet” of sorts that allows for the modification of the neural pathways’ firing in the brain. The external stimulator is placed on the scalp and then provides electrical stimulation to a broad region in order to control the neurons’ firing. We also had a chance to observe and try neurofeedback technology that uses how we learn to help us train our brains in real time!
Along with Dr. Giordano, I had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Rachel Wurzman, a Dana Foundation Fellow in Neuroscience and Society.
Dr. Wurzman encouraged us to think critically about the questions that help drive science forwards and improve our understanding of the world around us through a biopsychosocial lens. She also lent her expertise of neuroplasticity, neurodiversity, and neuroethics to help our team develop our research proposal.
In addition to our work with Dr. Wurzman, we had the opportunity to meet with a variety of neuroscientists with a variety of unique specialities.
One such professional was Dr. Fernando Pagan, a Georgetown Neurologist and the Director of Movement Disorders, who is a nationally recognized leader in Parkinson’s Disease treatment. We were able to learn about Movement Disorders from various perspectives as Dr. Pagan was joined by Captain Rick Schena, who lives with Parkinson’s and explains how his treatment plan allows him to still do what he would like to do.