Mind Wars: Brain Research and

National Defense

Mind Wars: Brain Research and

National Defense

Jonathan D. MorenoDavid and Lyn Silfen University Professor

Date

UNIVERSCITY OCF PENNSYLVANIACENTER FOR BIOETHICS

National Research Council, National Research Council, August 13, 2008August 13, 2008

““Committee on Military Committee on Military and Intelligence and Intelligence Methodology for Emergent Methodology for Emergent Physiological andPhysiological andCognitive/Neural Science Cognitive/Neural Science Research in the Next Two Research in the Next Two Decades”Decades”

Client: Defense Client: Defense Intelligence AgencyIntelligence Agency

Henry A. MurrayHenry A. Murray

Father of personality Father of personality theorytheory

Director of Harvard Director of Harvard Psychological ClinicPsychological Clinic

Explorations in Explorations in PersonalityPersonality, 1938, 1938

Developed Thematic Developed Thematic Apperception Test for Apperception Test for the US Army during the US Army during WWIIWWII

First chief psychologist First chief psychologist in the OSSin the OSS

Assessment of MenAssessment of Men, , 19481948

Allen DullesAllen Dulles

Legendary CIA directorLegendary CIA director Commissioned Wolf-Commissioned Wolf-

Hinkle report on “brain Hinkle report on “brain washing”, 1953washing”, 1953

Subsequently Subsequently supported various supported various hallucinogenic and hallucinogenic and innovative human innovative human experimentsexperiments

Sidney GottliebSidney Gottlieb

CIA spymasterCIA spymaster Developed toxic items Developed toxic items

for assassination for assassination (Castro, Patrice (Castro, Patrice Lumumba)Lumumba)

Funded hallucinogen Funded hallucinogen experimentsexperiments

Architect of MKUltra Architect of MKUltra programprogram

Frank OlsonFrank Olson

CIA anthrax expert CIA anthrax expert assigned to Fort assigned to Fort DetrickDetrick

Given LSDGiven LSD Descended to his Descended to his

death from a death from a Manhattan hotel, Manhattan hotel, 19531953

The Case of Harold BlaurThe Case of Harold Blaur NY tennis pro, 42 y.o. NY tennis pro, 42 y.o. Admitted to NY State Admitted to NY State

Psychiatric Institute for Psychiatric Institute for depression, January 1953depression, January 1953

Unconsented mescaline Unconsented mescaline experiment funded by US experiment funded by US Army Chemical CorpsArmy Chemical Corps

Died after overdoseDied after overdose Covered up, LSD aspect Covered up, LSD aspect

revealed in Ford revealed in Ford administration, administration, compensation to adult compensation to adult children 1978children 1978

Henry BeecherHenry Beecher

Icon of human research Icon of human research ethicsethics

Harvard anesthesiology Harvard anesthesiology professorprofessor

Work on LSD supported Work on LSD supported by CIAby CIA

Reported foreign Reported foreign science contacts to CIA science contacts to CIA through the 1950sthrough the 1950s

““Harvard and the Unibomber”Harvard and the Unibomber”

Experiment in Experiment in personality personality deconstruction of deconstruction of Harvard undergradsHarvard undergrads

Humiliation techniqueHumiliation technique Ted Kaczynski was a Ted Kaczynski was a

subjectsubject

The Professor and the The Professor and the UnibomberUnibomber

Kurt LewinKurt Lewin

Founder of modern Founder of modern social psychologysocial psychology

Advised OSS on Advised OSS on psychological warfarepsychological warfare

Perhaps up to a third of Perhaps up to a third of major research major research university faculty were university faculty were supported by security supported by security agencies after WWIIagencies after WWII

J.B. RhineJ.B. Rhine

Distinguished Duke Distinguished Duke U. parapsychology U. parapsychology researcherresearcher

ESP studiesESP studies CIA supported CIA supported

starting in 1952starting in 1952 ““Psiops”Psiops”

U.S. Test of Simulated Non-U.S. Test of Simulated Non-Lethal Mortar Round, 2002Lethal Mortar Round, 2002

(Image from Project Sunshine)(Image from Project Sunshine)

The Moscow Theater Tragedy, The Moscow Theater Tragedy, October 2002October 2002

Chechen terrorists Chechen terrorists occupy Russian occupy Russian theater during playtheater during play

Fentanyl pumped into Fentanyl pumped into the heating ductsthe heating ducts

Emergency teams not Emergency teams not informed of the nature informed of the nature of the agentof the agent

128 die128 die

Reading Hidden Intentions in the Human Brain Reading Hidden Intentions in the Human Brain

HHaynes, J. -D. aynes, J. -D. et al.et al. Current Biology 17, 323-328 (2007) Current Biology 17, 323-328 (2007)

Kay, K. N., Naselaris, T., Prenger, R. J. & Gallant, J. L. Nature Kay, K. N., Naselaris, T., Prenger, R. J. & Gallant, J. L. Nature advanced online publication doi:10.1038/nature067,advanced online publication doi:10.1038/nature067,

15 March 2008).15 March 2008). ““In the experiment, the brain activityIn the experiment, the brain activityof two subjects was monitored whileof two subjects was monitored whilethey were shown 1,750 differentthey were shown 1,750 differentpictures. The team then selected 120pictures. The team then selected 120novel images that the subjects hadn’tnovel images that the subjects hadn’tseen before, and used the previousseen before, and used the previousresults to predict their brainresults to predict their brainresponses. When the test subjectsresponses. When the test subjectswere shown one of the images, thewere shown one of the images, theteam could match the actual brainteam could match the actual brainresponse to their predictions toresponse to their predictions toaccurately pick out which of theaccurately pick out which of thepictures they had been shown. Withpictures they had been shown. Withone of the participants they wereone of the participants they werecorrect 72% of the time, and with thecorrect 72% of the time, and with theother 92% of the time; on chanceother 92% of the time; on chancealone they would have been right onlyalone they would have been right only0.8% of the time.”0.8% of the time.”

Non-invasive Brain ImagingNon-invasive Brain Imaging

Uses fMRI (oxygenation) Uses fMRI (oxygenation) or PET scans (glucose)or PET scans (glucose)

Correlations of Correlations of neurochemistry with neurochemistry with behaviorbehavior

NIRS (Near Infrared NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) cheaper Spectroscopy) cheaper and portable, also and portable, also records oxygenation but records oxygenation but poor temporal resolutionpoor temporal resolution

Transcranial Magnetic Transcranial Magnetic StimulationStimulation

Induces changes in brain Induces changes in brain activationactivation

Could be used to alter a Could be used to alter a person’s social behavior person’s social behavior or attitudesor attitudes

Influence brain functions Influence brain functions including physical including physical movement, visual movement, visual perception, memory, perception, memory, reaction time, speech and reaction time, speech and moodmood

$3 billion budget$3 billion budget Developed internet, Developed internet,

stealth bomberstealth bomber Dedicated to long-range Dedicated to long-range

innovation through innovation through speculative technical speculative technical possibilitiespossibilities

Various current Various current neuroscience projectsneuroscience projects

Neuroimaging and the Neuroimaging and the “Head Web”“Head Web”

Noninvasive brain Noninvasive brain monitoring devicesmonitoring devices

Contract: “Head Contract: “Head Access Laminar Access Laminar Optoelectronic Optoelectronic Neuroimaging System”Neuroimaging System”

Contract: “Wireless Contract: “Wireless Near-Infrared Devices Near-Infrared Devices for Neural Monitoring for Neural Monitoring in Operational in Operational Environments”Environments”

Security and medical Security and medical usesuses

““Neuromics”: DARPA’s Mind-Neuromics”: DARPA’s Mind-Machine Interface ProgramsMachine Interface Programs

Training honeybees to detect explosives and other Training honeybees to detect explosives and other “odors of interest”“odors of interest”

The “electronic dog’s nose” to develop electronic The “electronic dog’s nose” to develop electronic devices that can sniff out explosives as well as devices that can sniff out explosives as well as dogs. dogs.

Improved battlefield vision technology based on fly Improved battlefield vision technology based on fly eyeseyes

““Enhanced Human Performance” project to make Enhanced Human Performance” project to make warfighter more endurant, better able to healwarfighter more endurant, better able to heal

““Continuous Assisted Performance” project to Continuous Assisted Performance” project to enable fighters to stay awake and alert 24/7enable fighters to stay awake and alert 24/7

““AugCog”, DARPA, 2002AugCog”, DARPA, 2002 will develop the technologies needed to measure will develop the technologies needed to measure

and track a subject’s cognitive state in real-timeand track a subject’s cognitive state in real-time enhance operational capability, support reduction in enhance operational capability, support reduction in

the numbers of persons required to perform current the numbers of persons required to perform current functions, and improve human performance in functions, and improve human performance in stressful environmentsstressful environments

E.g., cockpit design: a computer-based command E.g., cockpit design: a computer-based command environment (working memory), an unmanned combat environment (working memory), an unmanned combat vehicle (executive function), a combat vehicle (sensory vehicle (executive function), a combat vehicle (sensory input), and an integrated individual combat system input), and an integrated individual combat system (attention). (attention).

Cognitive Threat Warning SystemCognitive Threat Warning System“Luke’s Binoculars”“Luke’s Binoculars”

CyborgsCyborgs

At a certain point the At a certain point the neural system neural system integrates the integrates the information encoded on information encoded on an implanted chipan implanted chip

What does this mean What does this mean for the research for the research participant’s capacity? participant’s capacity? Has the participant’s Has the participant’s identity been altered?identity been altered?

The RoboratThe Roborat

No Bull: Jose Delgado’s No Bull: Jose Delgado’s “Stimoceiver”, 1958“Stimoceiver”, 1958

Modafinil (Provigil)Modafinil (Provigil)

Possible Possible replacement for replacement for amphetaminesamphetamines

The “Anti-Conscience” PillThe “Anti-Conscience” Pill

Beta blockers can be Beta blockers can be used to treat stress, used to treat stress, prevent PTSDprevent PTSD

Suppress release of Suppress release of hormones like hormones like norephinephrine that norephinephrine that help encode memoryhelp encode memory

Might also reduce guilt Might also reduce guilt feelingsfeelings

The trust drug?The trust drug? Natural oxytocin Natural oxytocin

production is production is associated with trust associated with trust behaviorbehavior

May be artificially May be artificially administered in a administered in a spray to encourage spray to encourage cooperationcooperation

Use in interrogations?Use in interrogations?

Scientists’ Use of Brain EnhancersScientists’ Use of Brain EnhancersNature Nature 450,450, 1157–1159 ; 2007 1157–1159 ; 2007

20% of readers reported 20% of readers reported using at least one of using at least one of these for non-medical these for non-medical reasons:reasons:

Ritalin (62%)Ritalin (62%)

Modafinil (44%Modafinil (44%

Beta blockers (15%)Beta blockers (15%)

Emerging Cognitive Emerging Cognitive Neuroscience and Related Neuroscience and Related

TechnologiesTechnologies (National Academies Press, 2008)(National Academies Press, 2008)

1.1. The Big Picture: Bridging the Science and Technology The Big Picture: Bridging the Science and Technology for the Decision Makerfor the Decision Maker

2.2. Current Cognitive Neuroscience Research and Current Cognitive Neuroscience Research and Technology: Selected Areas of InterestTechnology: Selected Areas of Interest

1.1. Challenges to the Detection of Psychological States Challenges to the Detection of Psychological States and Intentions via Neurophysiological Activityand Intentions via Neurophysiological Activity

2.2. NeuropsychopharmacologyNeuropsychopharmacology

3.3. Functional NeuroimagingFunctional Neuroimaging

3.3. Emerging Areas of Cognitive Neuroscience and Emerging Areas of Cognitive Neuroscience and NeurotechnologiesNeurotechnologies

SummarySummary

““The intelligence community (IC) faces the challenging task of The intelligence community (IC) faces the challenging task of analyzing extremely large amounts of information on cognitive analyzing extremely large amounts of information on cognitive neuroscience and neurotechnology, deciding which of that neuroscience and neurotechnology, deciding which of that information has national security implications, and then information has national security implications, and then assigning priorities for decision makers. It is also challenged assigning priorities for decision makers. It is also challenged to keep pace with rapid scientific advances that can only be to keep pace with rapid scientific advances that can only be understood through close and continuing collaboration with understood through close and continuing collaboration with experts from the scientific community, from the corporate experts from the scientific community, from the corporate world, and from academia. The situation will become more world, and from academia. The situation will become more complex as the volume of information continues to grow. The complex as the volume of information continues to grow. The Committee … was tasked by the Technology Warning Division Committee … was tasked by the Technology Warning Division of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA’s) Defense Warning of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA’s) Defense Warning Office to identify areas of cognitive neuroscience and related Office to identify areas of cognitive neuroscience and related technologies that will develop over the next two decades and technologies that will develop over the next two decades and that could have military applications that might also be of that could have military applications that might also be of interest to the IC.”interest to the IC.”

TasksTasks

Review the current state of today's work in neurophysiology Review the current state of today's work in neurophysiology and cognitive/ neural science, select the manners in which and cognitive/ neural science, select the manners in which this work could be of interest to national security this work could be of interest to national security professionals, and trends for future warfighting applications professionals, and trends for future warfighting applications that may warrant continued analysis and tracking by the that may warrant continued analysis and tracking by the intelligence community,intelligence community,

Use the technology warning methodology developed in the Use the technology warning methodology developed in the 2005 National Research Council report 2005 National Research Council report Avoiding Surprise in Avoiding Surprise in an Era of Global Technologyan Era of Global Technology AdvancesAdvances (NRC, 2005) to assess (NRC, 2005) to assess the health, rate of development, and degree of innovation in the health, rate of development, and degree of innovation in the neurophysiology and cognitive/neural science research the neurophysiology and cognitive/neural science research areas of interest, andareas of interest, and

Amplify the technology warning methodology to illustrate Amplify the technology warning methodology to illustrate the ways in which neurophysiological and cognitive/neural the ways in which neurophysiological and cognitive/neural research conducted in selected countries may affect research conducted in selected countries may affect committee assessments.committee assessments.

Thank you!Thank you! University of University of

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Center for BioethicsCenter for Bioethics Center for Cognitive Center for Cognitive

NeuroscienceNeuroscience Department of History and Department of History and

Sociology of ScienceSociology of Science

Dana FoundationDana Foundation Howard Hughes Medical Howard Hughes Medical

InstituteInstitute National Research CouncilNational Research Council