S&S Dinner Dialogues, with Dr. Nita Farahany - Neuroscience and Behavioral Genetics in the Courts

“My Brain Made Me Do It” is a popular mantra in criminal courtrooms. In more than 10% of murder trials in the US, criminal defendants are blaming their “abnormal” brains for the conduct. Neuroscientists are generally opposed to the use of neuroscience in the criminal courtroom, but could it improve accuracy and decrease errors in the system?

Join Dr. Nita Farahany for dessert and a discussion on the social, ethical, and legal ramifications of this growing trend in our legal system.

Readings and other material:

• Neuroscience and behavioral genetics in US criminal law: an empirical analysis, Journal of Law & the Biosciences (2016)
• How Criminal Courts are Putting Brains-Not People-On Trial – WIRED Magazine
• WATCH: Neurolaw and Order – BBC

Request to Attend:

Seating is limited and priority is given to those who have not yet attended a Dinner Dialogue. All others will be placed on a waiting list and updated via email with any changes.

Where to meet:

Selected attendees will be notified via email several days in advance of the dinner with details regarding meeting location. All dinners will be within reasonable driving distance to Duke campus.

Science & Society will also provide a shuttle for those unable to arrange transportation to the dinner dialogue location. Shuttles will depart 30 minutes before the scheduled event from the front entrance of the North Building on West Campus. Click here for a map.

Learn more about the S&S Dinner Dialogue Series