Prison Camp or “Prison Clinic?” - Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense - page 199

12 Prison Camp or

“Prison Clinic?”
Biopolitics, Neuroethics,
and National Security *

Kyle Thomsen

CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 199
fMRI Lie Detectors and National Security ............................................................200
An Illegitimate Nonclinical Usage of fMRI? ......................................................... 202
Biopower and the Medical Character of the State .................................................204
State Racism and Neuroethical Applications ......................................................... 205
Methodological Concerns ......................................................................................206
Guantanamo Bay: National Security Clinic ........................................................... 208
Where Do We Go from Here? ................................................................................ 211
Notes ...................................................................................................................... 214
References .............................................................................................................. 215

INTRODUCTION
Within the larger neuroethical debate regarding functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI) scanning, the nonclinical application of medical technology is one
of the more intriguing issues. One such application focuses on the use of this medical
tool in a national security context. Authors such as Jonathan Marks (2010; see also
Chapter 11) and Apoorva Mandavilli (2006) have voiced clear concern regarding the
nonmedical usage of this technology. After all, medical technology is designed to
heal by directly treating an illness, by assisting medical staff in diagnosing a par-
ticular problem, or by furthering medical research. This is the only truly legitimate
way to use medical technology, one could claim. To use fMRI technology outside
of the clinical context stands in opposition to the intended use of this neuroscientific
tool. Those such as Marks and Mandavilli can strengthen this claim by pointing to
the fact that in a national security context, the targets of these scans are vulnerable
populations whose rights have already been violated by the State. fMRI technology

* This chapter is adapted and expanded with permission from Thomsen, K. 2010. AJOB Neuroscience
1(2):29 -30.

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