Summary: The BIA is excited to announce a new partnership with the American Brain Coalition (ABC) and International Neuroethics Society (INS).
The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative Alliance (BIA) is excited to announce a new partnership with the American Brain Coalition (ABC) and International Neuroethics Society (INS). The ABC, INS, and BIA all share a common goal of reducing the burden of brain disorders. While the Initiative has focused primarily on accelerating neuroscience research through the development and application of cutting-edge technologies, the BIA also recognizes the importance of the education, outreach, and ethical practices needed to fund, complete, and disseminate these new technologies.
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2004, the ABC provides a voice for people with brain disorders and brings together organizations that represent concerned patients, families, and professionals. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, ABC aims to reduce the burden of brain disorders in our society. An additional goal of the ABC is to reach public policy makers so that they can better understand the causes, impacts, and consequences of neurological and psychiatric illnesses. The ABC also advocates for the funding of brain-related research.
The Board Chair, Dr. Matthew Rizzo, and the Executive Director, Katie Sale, are excited about joining the BIA. They say, “The American Brain Coalition (ABC) and the 100+ patient advocacy groups and professional organizations we represent are excited by the transformative advances made possible by The BRAIN Initiative®. The dedicated stream of funding provides researchers with revolutionary tools to illuminate brain mechanisms and keys to discoveries to better treat the many millions of people and families suffering on account of brain diseases and disorders.” Dr. Rizzo and Ms. Sale explain, “Joining the BIA will allow the ABC to work side-by-side with BIA public and private partners with advanced previews on the most current progress and radical discoveries being made through the BRAIN Initiative. This greater understanding will, in turn, allow the ABC to better advocate and educate members of Congress, their staffers, and the public on the importance of this Initiative.” Without a doubt, the ABC is a great fit for the BIA family!
The Alliance is also excited about its new partnership with the INS. Founded in 2006, the INS is a professional association of scientists, scholars, students, and legal and health professionals who share an interest in the ethical issues surrounding brain research. Dr. Nita Farahany, INS President, says, “I am excited by the multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach adopted by the BRAIN Initiative and the role that neuroethics can play in forging critical partnerships that help to advance the responsible progress of neuroscience.” She also believes that joining the BIA will further the INS mission. According to Dr. Farahany, “Becoming a member of the BRAIN Initiative Alliance gives the INS the opportunity to further integrate ethical principles into neuroscience research and progress and provides more recognition to the essential work being done by neuroethicists around the world.” Ethics is an incredibly important component of neuroscience and neurotechnology, and the INS joining the BIA will be a great addition to the community.
Through these new collaborations, the BIA will continue to work toward furthering understanding of the inner workings of the mind and improving how disorders of the brain are treated, cured, or prevented.