Author: seanjudge
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Scientific Reliability in U.S. Courts: Daubert, Rule 702, and Made-for-Litigation Evidence
Are judges willing to protect public trust in science and judicial integrity in an era of misinformation and legal exploitation?
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Non-Animal Methods of Chemical Testing: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement under European Union Law
In regulatory toxicology, animal tests are habitually applied in hazard assessments to identify the potential toxic endpoints of chemicals to human health and the environment. This paper identifies major challenges associated with the perceptions of the need to rely on animal studies and argues that regulatory culture, resting upon familiarity and confidence in animal studies,…
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The Ethics of Biomedical Big Data: Busting Myths
Biomedical research ethics has historically rested on cases of egregious harm and disrespect to subjects through direct experimentation on bodies. However, with the emergence of sophisticated health data and specimen analysis, a new type of research ethics case study has emerged to highlight the limitations of applying current research and privacy regulations to the study…
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On the Origin of Samples: Pathogen Provenance and the Rise of the Material Transfer Agreement
The purpose of this Opinion article is to inform scientists of the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) laws that could encroach on their ability to obtain pathogen samples for research purposes. The United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) reaffirms the sovereign right of states over their genetic resources and recommends that access to such resources…
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Artificial Intelligence and Trust: Improving Transparency and Explainability Policies to Reverse Data Hyper-Localization Trends
Access to data is an essential part of artificial intelligence (AI) technology development efforts. Government and corporate actors have increasingly imposed localized and hyper-localized restrictions on data due to rising mistrust—the fear and uncertainty about what countries and companies are doing with data, including perceived and real efforts to exploit user data or create more…
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Neuroprevention: Developing Legal Policies in Risk Assessment Without Aspiring to Predict Crime
What should be the ultimate purpose of punishment in criminal law? Is it possible to apply measures that do not only pursue a simple retributive punishment but, at the same time, can help to: (a) reduce the risk of recidivism by serving as complementary measures to the penalty and (b) reduce incarceration rates without endangering…
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Toxic Exposure and Disease: Perspectives from the Scientific, Regulatory and Legal Communities On Causation
In the 21st century, people across the globe encounter more suspected toxins on a daily basis than any time in the history of our planet. Whether a suspected toxin increases the risk of or causes illness or disease is a central question that surfaces in very different ways in the scientific, regulatory and legal communities.…
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A New Criminal Records Database for Large-Scale Analysis of Policy and Behavior
To allow large-scale, cross-jurisdictional analyses of criminal arrests, we have developed the Center for Science and Law’s Criminal Record Database (CRD), a collection of tens of millions of U.S. courthouse records. The CRD can enhance many types of research—for example, identification of high-frequency offenders, measurement of changes in policing strategies, and quantification of legislative efficacy—giving…
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The Role of Neuroscience in Drug Policy: Promises and Prospects
Crack cocaine use carries high costs for society, particularly in terms of increased crime. The tools of modern neuroscience may be able to reduce demand by addressing altered brain circuitry of individuals suffering from severe cocaine use disorder. Here, we review several rehabilitative strategies, including pharmacotherapies targeting neurotransmitter systems, immunotherapies that block cocaine from entering…