Responsible Innovation and Transnational Governance in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology: A Comparative Perspective

• In Event: Global Perspectives on Responsible Innovation: Widening the Gaze II

Abstract

Rapid progress in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (NS/NT) raises several social and political issues (e.g. cognitive enhancement, dual use, neuroimaging and the law) that urge policy-makers to find appropriate governance frameworks for aligning neuroscientific innovation with societal needs, values and expectations. With brain research being on top of the agenda for countries across the world, calls are increasingly being raised for a better international coordination of NS/NT, as well as for a harmonization of neuroethical consultation and societal deliberation. As exemplified by current efforts of OECD's 'Neuroscience and Society' project, Responsible Innovation figures as a prominent and promising notion for building consensus among countries on how to govern innovation in NS/NT appropriately.
This paper scrutinizes the mobilization of Responsible Innovation frameworks for the global governance of NS/NT. Rather than understanding Responsible Innovation as a fixed set of discourses and practices, we aim to turn towards the variegated and situated national and regional cultures of integrating society into neuroscientific research and innovation. A comparative perspective on European and American brain projects alone reveals such substantial differences. In Europe, the emphasis has been on 'RRI' frameworks and corollary public engagement mechanisms for neuroscience. In contrast, the U.S. has focused primarily on ELSI frameworks and bioethical expert assessments, with a smaller role for lay publics. These differences become even more exigent when turning to other emerging neuroscience leaders such as Japan, China, or Cuba. We argue that for harmonizing the governance NS/NT, an appropriate model of subsidiarity is yet to emerge which maintains compatibility with local values and participatory cultures.

Authors

• Nina María Frahm, Technical University Munich, Munich Center for Technology in Society

• Sebastian Michael Pfotenhauer, Technical University Munich