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You do have the right kind of brain for science. Even healthy brains are desired. https://braindonorproject.org/ https://braindonorproject.org/ https://www.br

by burfog 7y ago

You do have the right kind of brain for science. Even healthy brains are desired. https://braindonorproject.org/ https://braindonorproject.org/ https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/brain-donation/ https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/brain-donation/ https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/brain-donation https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/br... https://hbtrc.mclean.harvard.edu/donate/ https://hbtrc.mclean.harvard.edu/donate/ I love how the NIH explains things: "As an organ donor, you agree to give your organs to other people to help keep them alive. As a brain donor, your brain will be used for research purposes only—it will not be given to another person." That's good to know.

ryacko 7y ago
And there are so many stories about science donations disrespecting the donors intentions. Reuters did a series on it: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodies-brokers/ https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodi... https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodybrokers-industry/ https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-body...
- stallmanite 7y ago
  Just when I think maybe I’m too cynical in thinking that non-corrupt charities represent a statistical rounding-error, something like this pops up to reconfirm my intuition. Thanks for the link
jodrellblank 7y ago
"As a brain donor, your brain will be used for research purposes only—it will not be given to another person." How many people had to ask/worry about that for them to write it? Isaac Arthur's YouTube video on identity[1] includes a comment "if someone transplanted Bob's brain into Joe's body, we would not think of it as Joe-with-Bob's-brain, but rather Bob-with-Joe's-body". In that sense it might be impossible to give my brain to another person, it would be more like giving me their body; but what if it was only a bit of my brain? If my motor cortex could be transplanted into a stroke victim or a Parkinson's patient, or whatever; writing that down doesn't sound objectionably or identity-breaking. [1] Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur, in his "Existential Crisis series" playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEyiugDVQ6o&list=PLIIOUpOge0LuCndr25ORvBN9OI1k1O4kJ&index=12&t=0s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEyiugDVQ6o&list=PLIIOUpOge0...
- MaxBarraclough 7y ago
  Right on - if your brain is placed in another body, that body becomes your body. Your brain remains 'yours' almost by definition. > what if it was only a bit of my brain? If my motor cortex could be transplanted into a stroke victim or a Parkinson's patient, or whatever; writing that down doesn't sound objectionably or identity-breaking. I think it does break identity, but that doesn't mean it should be discarded. Your thought-experiment strongly suggests that 'identity of mind' (at least as far as it tracks the brain) is not atomic or indivisible.
Balgair 7y ago
I actually worked with donated brains while in grad school! The donations were for educational purposes, and we were forbidden from knowning who the donator was. All material is periodically rounded up and disposed of after a set amount of time and then buried/cremated/etc (per the donator's wishes). We took the donations out to local schools and museums for demonstrations. (It's a bit strange just riding in your car with a bunck of brains in the seat next to you, stuck in traffic, trying to get to the school/museum) The kids were very respectful and we never had an issue with anyone. For me the best moment was when one little boy mentioned that he had an encephalitis catheter implant (tube from brain into stomach to relieve chronic brain swelling). He was able to show the whole class where his tube was, using the donations as an aide. It was awesome! We had many sections of brains and some dura mater. I'm sure we inspired a fair few MDs during those sessions. Donation is highly appreciated. Charts and diagrams are also very useful, but there is just something very real/grounding/humbling about holding a real brain in your hands. All the kids get very quiet when it happens; it's amazing to see all these emotions and realizations wash across their young faces. This pinkish wrinkly thing is the whole universe for someone else, and your whole universe is just like this thing in your hands. People and kids have different reactions to the experience, but everyone appreciates it. If you are thinking about donating, I can attest that the donations are highly respected, very appreciated, and greatly helpful to others, at least in my little corner of the world.

by burfog 7y ago

ryacko 7y ago

And there are so many stories about science donations disrespecting the donors intentions. Reuters did a series on it: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodies-brokers/ https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodi... https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodybrokers-industry/ https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-body...

stallmanite 7y ago
Just when I think maybe I’m too cynical in thinking that non-corrupt charities represent a statistical rounding-error, something like this pops up to reconfirm my intuition. Thanks for the link

jodrellblank 7y ago

"As a brain donor, your brain will be used for research purposes only—it will not be given to another person." How many people had to ask/worry about that for them to write it? Isaac Arthur's YouTube video on identity[1] includes a comment "if someone transplanted Bob's brain into Joe's body, we would not think of it as Joe-with-Bob's-brain, but rather Bob-with-Joe's-body". In that sense it might be impossible to give my brain to another person, it would be more like giving me their body; but what if it was only a bit of my brain? If my motor cortex could be transplanted into a stroke victim or a Parkinson's patient, or whatever; writing that down doesn't sound objectionably or identity-breaking. [1] Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur, in his "Existential Crisis series" playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEyiugDVQ6o&list=PLIIOUpOge0LuCndr25ORvBN9OI1k1O4kJ&index=12&t=0s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEyiugDVQ6o&list=PLIIOUpOge0...

MaxBarraclough 7y ago
Right on - if your brain is placed in another body, that body becomes your body. Your brain remains 'yours' almost by definition. > what if it was only a bit of my brain? If my motor cortex could be transplanted into a stroke victim or a Parkinson's patient, or whatever; writing that down doesn't sound objectionably or identity-breaking. I think it does break identity, but that doesn't mean it should be discarded. Your thought-experiment strongly suggests that 'identity of mind' (at least as far as it tracks the brain) is not atomic or indivisible.

Balgair 7y ago

I actually worked with donated brains while in grad school! The donations were for educational purposes, and we were forbidden from knowning who the donator was. All material is periodically rounded up and disposed of after a set amount of time and then buried/cremated/etc (per the donator's wishes). We took the donations out to local schools and museums for demonstrations. (It's a bit strange just riding in your car with a bunck of brains in the seat next to you, stuck in traffic, trying to get to the school/museum) The kids were very respectful and we never had an issue with anyone. For me the best moment was when one little boy mentioned that he had an encephalitis catheter implant (tube from brain into stomach to relieve chronic brain swelling). He was able to show the whole class where his tube was, using the donations as an aide. It was awesome! We had many sections of brains and some dura mater. I'm sure we inspired a fair few MDs during those sessions. Donation is highly appreciated. Charts and diagrams are also very useful, but there is just something very real/grounding/humbling about holding a real brain in your hands. All the kids get very quiet when it happens; it's amazing to see all these emotions and realizations wash across their young faces. This pinkish wrinkly thing is the whole universe for someone else, and your whole universe is just like this thing in your hands. People and kids have different reactions to the experience, but everyone appreciates it. If you are thinking about donating, I can attest that the donations are highly respected, very appreciated, and greatly helpful to others, at least in my little corner of the world.