Michael Crowley and Malcolm Dando are two of the world’s foremost experts on neuroscience and international security. They claim that advanced such “brain weapons” used to operate on the fringe, but today’s military complex has perfected the ability to affect human consciousness, perception, memory and behavior—far from the pages of sci-fi. With all of this action and advocacy, they are still looking forward to that pivotal moment in The Hague. They emphasize the immediate need for international cooperation to prevent the weaponization of neuroscience.
Crowley, who is an honorary visiting senior research fellow at the University of Bradford’s peace studies/international development division, is joined by Dando, an emeritus professor of international security at the same university. Jointly, they make the case that these new digital weaponry are the most effective means to target the human mind. Their concerns were based on historical precedence. From the Cold War until today, both the United States, Soviet Union, and China have all pursued weapons that specifically target the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Our two experts will join the 30th session of the CSP, taking place in The Hague. Together, they hope to be loud enough to ensure that governors take a proactive approach to this new and growing threat. They’re convinced that scientific breakthroughs promise medical breakthroughs in treating neurological disorders. Yet these same developments might just as easily precipitate nightmarish uses, like coerced obedience or constructing unknowing operatives.
Past actions, including that siege where armed Chechen militants took 900 hostages in a Moscow theater, raise grave issues. It is this context that renders their present implications all the more alarming. Irrespective of the security forces’ use of fentanyl derivatives to address the crisis. Tragically, this decision resulted in the death of more than 120 hostages and long-term harm or early death for many others who were exposed to the chemical agents.
Crowley warns that “we are entering an era where the brain itself could become a battlefield.” The tools to manipulate the central nervous system are becoming increasingly precise and accessible, raising concerns about their attractiveness to state actors looking to gain an advantage.
Dando adds that “the same knowledge that helps us treat neurological disorders could be used to disrupt cognition.” Their thoughts shed light on a dangerous crossroad that innovation and integrity now face.
Crowley and Dando are getting ready to share more from their forthcoming book, Preventing the Weaponization of CNS-Acting Chemicals. We think they have it in them to send an overwhelmingly loud wake-up call to the world. “This is a wake-up call. We must act now to protect the integrity of science and the sanctity of the human mind,” Crowley asserts.
The fellows urge the end of governance that reacts to problems and instead urges a more preventive approach. As they write, becoming familiar with and learning to harness the power of these technologies is crucial to protecting human rights and maintaining public safety.
“We know that this does in fact sound like science fiction,” confesses Crowley. “The danger is that it becomes science fact.” The message is clear: as advancements in neuroscience continue at a rapid pace, vigilance and ethical considerations must keep pace to ensure that humanity does not fall victim to its own creations.