Comments on: They (Might) Know What You’re Thinking http://scienceprogress.org/2008/04/they-might-know-what-youre-thinking/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:59:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michael Peroski http://scienceprogress.org/2008/04/they-might-know-what-youre-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-1816 Michael Peroski Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:00:17 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/04/they-might-know-what-youre-thinking/#comment-1816 Thank you for your comment. I agree with you; we need to think about the ethical and policy implications of this technology sooner, rather than later. As reflected in this article, because these concerns do not yet need immediate attention, we are fortunate to have time to think seriously about them. The use of this technology, before researchers agree on its efficacy, seems like an ethical issue that needs immediate attention. My primary concern about using fMRI to detect deception is that some give the technology more credibility than it deserves. For example, at least one former intelligence officer has stated that it was used in “the war on terror.” We haven’t developed this technology enough to speak to its efficacy for individual or large-scale application. If the technology is applied, despite its shortcomings, then some framework of policy is needed. Thank you for your comment. I agree with you; we need to think about the ethical and policy implications of this technology sooner, rather than later. As reflected in this article, because these concerns do not yet need immediate attention, we are fortunate to have time to think seriously about them. The use of this technology, before researchers agree on its efficacy, seems like an ethical issue that needs immediate attention.

My primary concern about using fMRI to detect deception is that some give the technology more credibility than it deserves. For example, at least one former intelligence officer has stated that it was used in “the war on terror.” We haven’t developed this technology enough to speak to its efficacy for individual or large-scale application. If the technology is applied, despite its shortcomings, then some framework of policy is needed.

]]> By: Zane Selvans http://scienceprogress.org/2008/04/they-might-know-what-youre-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-1813 Zane Selvans Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:58:42 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/04/they-might-know-what-youre-thinking/#comment-1813 However far off practical applications may be, it seems it might be much better to deal with the ethical implication before they become pressing, rather than wait until the last minute. However far off practical applications may be, it seems it might be much better to deal with the ethical implication before they become pressing, rather than wait until the last minute.

]]>