Ethics of Brain Emulations

What is it about?

"Brain emulations" are complete simulations of brains and bodies of individual beings, able to function exactly like the original. They are so far rather far into the future, but it makes sense to analyse the ethical issues surrounding making such simulations. I discuss whether we need to treat virtual lab animals well, what kinds of experiments may be acceptable or not with emulated minds, and the various ethical conundrums that emerge if we get human brain emulations.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Neuroscience is advancing rapidly, and while brain emulations may be decades away their impact on the world can be enormous - both in terms of advancing science and medicine, but perhaps even more by transforming the economy and the human condition. If we get the ethics of this technology wrong from the start there is a risk that enormous suffering and mistreatment of sentient beings ensues.