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EMPOWERING NEURODATA USE AND POLICY
This post first appeared in The Neuroethics Blog on January 26, 2021 as “THE GLOBAL BRAIN DATA FOUNDATION: A SUPPLEMENTAL INITIATIVE FOR EMPOWERING NEURODATA USE AND POLICY” by Ryan Triplette and Devon White.
The world is in a time of psychological distress. Worldwide events and the pandemic have exacerbated an already looming mental health crisis. Forced and unexpected isolation, illness, and unemployment are pushing our ability to manage long established injustices and anxieties to its limit. However, turmoil often readies us for transformation. Previously overlooked problems are prioritized; needs acutely identified; and solutions actively sought. This moment is no different.
New and emerging consumer neurotechnologies hold great promise. They present a potential tool to understand and mitigate the mental impact on populations of stressful experiences, such as those endured during this unique period of time. Further, they hold the potential to support the development of personal and collective wellbeing; helping people to not only survive but thrive in their daily lives. However, while the clinical and wellness uses of neurotechnologies may give us indicators of their promise, their application in the consumer context is not yet fully known or understood.
