Experts in science, science policy and science ethics hand-picked by the leading weekly international journal of science Nature debate the risks, benefits and extent of how far research can extend our mental and physical abilities:

The first of two panel events focuses on research underway that is extending the human brain: from intelligence and emotional tolerance, to sleep needs, memory power and more. What are the risks and benefits to the individual and to society of these developments? Would you boost your brain power? Why, when and why not? Should doctors, scientists, students, teachers or soldiers use such aids? Come along and take part in this mind-stretching evening.

PANEL
• Prof Barbara Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge: Barbara J Sahakian is Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine and Honorary Consultant Clinic Psychologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital; she is a Fellow of Clare Hall and Bye-Fellow of Christ’s College. She has published over 200 papers in cognitive psychopharmacology, neuroethics, neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry and neuroimaging. She is best known for her research work on cognition and depression, cognitive enhancement using pharmacological treatments, neuroethics and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. She is currently investigating the neurochemical modulation of impulsive and compulsive behaviour in disorders such as unipolar and bipolar depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• Prof John Harris, Lord Alliance Professor of Bioethics at the University of Manchester: John Harris is Research Director of the Institute of Science, Ethics and Innovation at the University of Manchester. He has is the author or editor of fifteen books and over two hundred papers. Harris is a leading critic of paternalistic and restrictive approaches to access to medical services or technology. He is joint Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Medical Ethics and is involved in numerous other journals. He served on the United Kingdom Government Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing, is a member of the Ethics Committee of the British Medical Association, and was a Founder Director of the International Association of Bioethics.
• Prof Nick Bostrom, Director of the Oxford University Future of Humanity Institute: Nick Bostrom is Director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University. He previously taught at Yale University in the Department of Philosophy and in the Yale Institute for Social and Policy Studies. Bostrom has a background in physics, computational neuroscience, mathematical logic and analytic philosophy. He has more than 130 publications to his name, including three books. His research covers human enhancement, the foundations of probability theory, scientific methodology, global catastrophic risks, moral philosophy, and consequences of future technology. He serves occasionally as an expert consultant for various governmental agencies in the UK, Europe, and the USA.

CHAIR
CHAIR: Ehsan Masood, Acting Chief Commissioning Editor, Nature: Ehsan Masood returned to the staff of Nature as Acting Chief Commissioning Editor in September 2008. He was UK news and developing-world correspondent at Nature in the 1990s. After leaving Nature in 1999, he became Opinion Editor at New Scientist and then Director of Communications for the environmental leadership training NGO Lead International. He has also worked as a consultant to the British Council, the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He teaches international science policy at Imperial College London and his next book, Science and Islam: a history, will be published by Icon books in 2009.