Press release 23 January 2006

Ban the use of brain scans by police, courts and security services

Biggest-ever public science consultation warns of potential misuse of brain research


Brain-imaging techniques are developing so fast that they will soon pose a serious threat to individual privacy, says a report to be presented at the European Parliament today. American scientists already claim to have developed “lie-detectors” for use in the war against terror, and it may soon be possible to screen for future delinquency. Such techniques need to be tightly controlled, and in some fields prohibited.

This is one of 37 recommendations on the ethical implications of advances in brain science. They were produced after a unique debate across Europe known as Meeting of Minds. The debate is an ambitious new experiment in modern democracy, and thought to be the largest public consultation on science.

The report tackles many pressing issues arising in the burgeoning field of brain science – from the need for greater ethical scrutiny of research to the availability of drugs to treat behaviours previously regarded as normal.

The extraordinary pace of developments in brain science has the potential to change the very nature of individuals and society. Brain science is challenging us on every level – from what it is to be a normal human being to whether drugs would help our children learn better at school. Research is moving so fast that it threatens to leave the public behind.. Meanwhile, the European Brain Council has highlighted the growing burden of brain disease. Over a quarter of Europeans -- or 127 million citizens -- suffer from some kind of brain disorder, costing Europe € 386 billion in 2004.

The report highlights the enormous amount we now know about how lifestyle influences the brain -- and the extent to which we could use this knowledge to nurture the brains of babies, improve teaching techniques in schools and protect ourselves from brain disease. It calls on governments to boost education and training on these issues.

The conclusions were reached using the European Citizens´ Deliberation, a unique experiment in the techniques of participatory democracy in which 12 European organisations, led by the King Baudouin Foundation of Belgium, pooled their expertise in public consultation. They randomly selected 126 laypeople from across Europe who then interviewed some of the Continent’s leading brain scientists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists as well as pressure groups and patients’ associations.

Their report should help to shape science and health policy at a European level. It comes at a timely moment for guiding formulation of the European Commission´s 7th Framework Programme. It will also help inform responses to the European Union´s Green Paper on Mental Health, and feed into national debates.

“Meeting of Minds is an important achievement, establishing that citizens´participation is not only possible but also highly desirable,” said Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for Science and Research. “I’m convinced that this will contribute to more robust European policies”.

© Photo Frank Toussaint

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Issues covered by the report include:

• The ethical control of research
• Measures to ensure that the burgeoning numbers of people afflicted by brain diseases are adequately cared for
• The need for more information and education about the brain
• The need for more funding for brain research

About the countries involved
Citizens from Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Greece, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom participated in Meeting of Minds.

About the KING BAUDOUIN FOUNDATION
The King Baudouin Foundation was established in 1976 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of King Baudouin’s reign. The King Baudouin Foundation supports projects and citizens with a commitment to build a better society. It looks for sustainable ways of bringing about justice, democracy and respect for diversity. The Foundation has total annual expenditures of 40 million Euro.

Note to the editors: For more information, please contact:
KING BAUDOUIN FOUNDATION, Catherine Dupont, +32-2-549.02.76 or mail dupont.c@kbs-frb.be
ANTHONISSEN & ASSOCIATES, Katline Cauwels, +32-3-286.77.77 or mail katline.cauwels@anthonissen.be