Boycott Threatened Against Brain Mapping Project: Are Scientists Coming To Their Senses?Nicholas West Now it appears that even scientists inside the field which is receiving a massive influx of money into this type of research are calling to put on the brakes before the initiative is completely misdirected and mismanaged. Some of us have become concerned about neuroscience research conducted under Obamas BRAIN project, as well as similar research sponsored by the European Union in even greater amounts of money it approaches $2 billion combined. The goal so far has strongly stressed decoding the human brain and discovering new ways to develop both narrative and pharmaceutical mind control. Combined with research into artificial intelligence, we are seeing a world beginning to emerge that could be populated with superhuman cyborgs and killer robots. Surely, there have to be better uses for this type of technology. In fact, I have repeatedly criticized the many press releases in these areas as focusing solely upon the sales points of curing Alzheimers, post traumatic stress disorder, Parkinsons and other organic brain injuries without at least acknowledging the darker applications that could arise when military funding is a large part of the origins for this research. The scientists have issued an open letter to the European Commission stating their concerns about a project that they believe is going severely off track. One needs to read between the lines, but it is clear that transparency, governance, and conflicts of interest are key issues. My emphasis added. We the undersigned members of the European neuroscience community are writing to express our concern with the course of the Human Brain Project (HBP). The HBP, and its cousin the U.S. BRAIN Initiative, have the noble goal of making major advances in our understanding of both normal and pathological brain function. Given the potentially enormous benefits to society that would be gained from achieving this goal, it deserves a significant collective investment of our societies resources. However, the HBP has been controversial and divisive within the European neuroscience community from the beginning. Many laboratories refused to join the project when it was first submitted because of its focus on an overly narrow approach, leading to a significant risk that it would fail to meet its goals. Further attrition of members during the ramp-up phase added to this narrowing. In June, a Framework Proposal Agreement (FPA) for the second round of funding for the HBP was submitted. This, unfortunately, reflected an even further narrowing of goals and funding allocation, including the removal of an entire neuroscience subproject and the consequent deletion of 18 additional laboratories, as well as further withdrawals and the resignation of one member of the internal scientific advisory board. A formal review of the HBP is now scheduled to evaluate the success of the projects ramp-up phase and the plan for the next phase. At stake is funding on the order of 50M per year European Commision for the core project and 50M in partnering projects provided largely by the European member states funding bodies. In this context, we wish to express the view that the HBP is not on course and that the European Commission must take a very careful look at both the science and the management of the HBP before it is renewed. We strongly question whether the goals and implementation of the HBP are adequate to form the nucleus of the collaborative effort in Europe that will further our understanding of the brain. It is stated that the review must address the excellence, impact as well as the quality and efficiency of implementation. We believe that a review will show that there are substantial failures to meet these criteria, especially concerning the quality of the governance demonstrated and the lack of flexibility and openness of the consortium. In order to carry out the upcoming review in the most transparent and accountable manner possible, we hold that it should meet the following criteria: In the case that the review is not able to secure these objectives, we call for the European Commission and Member States to reallocate the funding currently allocated to the HBP core and partnering projects to broad neuroscience-directed funding to meet the original goals of the HBPunderstanding brain function and its effect on society. We strongly support the mechanism of individual investigator-driven grants as a means to provide a much needed investment in European neuroscience research. The European Research Council would provide a well-proven mechanism for allocating such funds. In the event that the European Commission is unable to adopt these recommendations, we, the undersigned, pledge not to apply for HBP partnering projects and will urge our colleagues to join us in this commitment. (Source) We should commend these scientists for taking the steps necessary to provide public transparency and open a better dialogue with a diverse range of independent scientists and funding so that we all have a say in the future. Now lets see if the U.S. BRAIN scientists follow suit. Below is a recent example of just one of the magnificent stories that should begin to dominate the headlines, rather than needing to worry about a microchipped population of automatons managed by a technocratic elite. Science and technology always have been a double-edged sword and should not be dismissed simply because those who are currently at the top running the show are anti-human psychopaths. We can assert our will at any time to counter their dark agenda. The time to do so has never been more urgent. Hat Tip: The Verge Recently by Nicholas West: 