Biological indeterminacy.

TitleBiological indeterminacy.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsGreenspan RJ
JournalSci Eng Ethics
Volume18
Issue3
Pagination447-52
Date Published2012 Sep
ISSN1471-5546
KeywordsBrain, Genotype, Humans, Models, Biological, Morals, Neuroimaging, Neurosciences, Psychophysiology, Social Behavior
Abstract

Reductionist explanations in biology generally assume that biological mechanisms are highly deterministic and basically similar between individuals. A contrasting view has emerged recently that takes into account the degeneracy of biological processes--the ability to arrive at a given endpoint by a variety of available paths, even within the same individual. This perspective casts significant doubt on the prospects for the ability to predict behavior accurately based on brain imaging or genotyping, and on the ability of neuroscience to stipulate ethics.

DOI10.1007/s11948-012-9379-2
Alternate JournalSci Eng Ethics
PubMed ID22752704
Category: 
Greenspan Laboratory