Neuroética en México: Reflexiones médicas, legales y socioculturales

Professional attitudes toward the use of neuromodulatory technologies in Mexico: Insight for neuroethical considerations of cultural diversity

“…Recently, we explored mental health clinicians' and researchers' perceptions and concerns regarding the use of neuromodulatory techniques in Mexico, as compared to those reported in the international literature, 8 and if there are also specific local neuroethical, legal, socio-cultural issues (NELSCI) relevant to such distinctions or similarities. 9 We found that the majority of the respondents who utilize neuromodulatory techniques are professionally trained, and employed various forms of neuromodulatory approaches for treatment of psychiatric disorders (eg, depression and OCD), as consistent with those approved by the US FDA, and Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, with such approaches regarded to be generally effective (60%) and safe (81%).…”

“…[15][16][17][18] This is of particular note, given that 90% of global neuropsychiatric research is performed in the 10% of the developed world's mental health population 19 and hence, a significant proportion of global developing populations and ecologies are inadequately represented. This limited representation of ethnodiversity constitutes an important knowledge gap with respect to specific cultural variables (ie, beliefs, values, needs, traditions, and perceptions) that could shape attitudes toward the use-or non-use-of neuroS/ T, 9,20,21 which could mislead both global translational safety and effectiveness, and neuroethico-legal and sociocultural frameworks that address and guide such issues in practice. To mitigate or prevent such inadequacies, we advocate a complementary and proactive integration of transnational and cross-cultural analysis to (1) identify local NELSCI and influences in and for neuromodulatory techniques; (2) improve global translational and transnational safety, viability, compatibility, and value, and (3) improve efforts to enhance global benefits of neuroS/T research and applications of emerging developments in practice.…”

“…7 However, such iterative analysis and oversight do not regard or regulate transnational and cross-cultural implications when this neurotechnology is considered and/or applied for medical (and/or non-medical) uses in countries with different ecologies (ie, culture, economic resources, politics, philosophies, ethics, and laws), such as Mexico.Recently, we explored mental health clinicians' and researchers' perceptions and concerns regarding the use of neuromodulatory techniques in Mexico, as compared to those reported in the international literature, 8 and if there are also specific local neuroethical, legal, socio-cultural issues (NELSCI) relevant to such distinctions or similarities. 9 We found that the majority of the respondents who utilize neuromodulatory techniques are professionally trained, and employed various forms of neuromodulatory approaches for treatment of psychiatric disorders (eg, depression and OCD), as consistent with those approved by the US FDA, and Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, with such approaches regarded to be generally effective (60%) and safe (81%).The preferred neuromodulatory techniques used in clinical practice and/or research areas were TMS and DBS; similar to other countries. Interestingly, tES, although somewhat more affordable and accessible than TMS, was used to a lesser extent, perhaps due to a paucity of both protocols and evidence of positive results.…”

“…12,13 As well, we have described a general lack of receptivity for the use of such neuroS/T in Mexico, due, in part, to the persistence of a cosmogenic Pre-Hispanic vision of the "nature" of the human being that has resisted changes incurred by other anthropologies (ie, Western philosophy and medicine). 9,14 Such cultural considerations also influence perceptions about (unknown and/or perhaps as yet "unknowable," transcendent) effects of neuroS/T. Thus, any meaningful discourse about development and use of such approaches must also address the importance of cultural competence (in clinical and research professionals, as well as corporate entities providing neuroS/T within Mexico).…”

Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Deep Brain Stimulation Think Tank: Advances in Neurophysiology, Adaptive DBS, Virtual Reality, Neuroethics and Technology

“…This has prompted consideration if and to what extent DBS is cross-culturally valid, pertinent and valuable. As an exemplar, in Mexico, there are particular neuroethical, legal and socio-cultural issues (NELSCI) that might shape perceptions and evaluations of scientific and technological tools and techniques (Karen Herrera-Ferrá et al, 2019). These factors prompt consideration of proactive inclusiveness of diverse ethnocultural contexts and factors (e.g., needs, values, philosophies, beliefs and traditions) within and across countries, in order to better understand various views (i.e., culturallyframed cognition), specific local NELSCI, and attitudes that could direct the use -or non-use-of advanced neurotechnology, such as DBS.…”