James Giordano, PhD, is chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program and senior scholar in residence at the Edmund D. Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, and Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry at the Georgetown University Medical Center. He is also senior bioethicists with the the Defense Medical Ethics Center of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, engaging directly with the Defense Health Administration and the Department of Navy, Army and Air Force Medicine on issues relevant to both research and practice within the military that evoke ethical, legal and social concerns.
Giordano was a US Naval Aerospace Physiologist and served with the United States Marine Corps, where he was detailed to evaluate electronic and biological weapons systems, and human performance optimization, with particular emphasis upon how current and emerging scientific methods and technologies might be used or misused in such ways. He has also worked with the Federal Government and international governments, on issues from healthcare to multinational global biosecurity, inclusive of the oversight, surveillance, regulation, guidance and governance of biological and chemical weapons.
His works articulates the scientific and philosophical approaches to explore questions about the brain~mind relationship, emotions, thought and behavior, and the ethical issues that arise in and from such studies and their applications. On the scientific side, he addresses how thinking beings engage moral thought and processes of moral decision making, and how the tools and technologies of brain sciences are utilized in the social sphere, in areas such as medicine, public life, wellness, global security, biosafety, public health and the military. On the philosophical side, he inquires on the moral, ethical and legal implications and effects that that knowledge and capability confers.
At the Pellegrino Center, Giordano has collaborated with the academic community both nationally and internationally to address the ethical opportunities and challenges of bioscience and technology in the 21st century at a multinational scale, in ways that strive to establish positive discourse in bringing together different systems of value, and belief. Through a cosmopolitan approach to ethics, his work highlights the need to engage with multiple cultures on the global stage, in order to appreciate the diverse histories, needs, values and ideologies that are important to the share- and stakeholders of scientific and technological developments.
One of the principal projects of his research group at the Pellegrino Center examines the ethical responsibilities of the arts in apprehending and communicating the essence of science and technology in society, and posing -and thus prompting contemplation of- “what if”, and exploring different possibilities regarding scientific and technological developments.
On “Immaculate Concussion, The Truth Behind Havana Syndrome”, Dr. James Giordano explains the science and technology potentially behind the Havana syndrome, based on his research on bioweapons.…
James Giordano was featured on a Front Line Genomics’ “spotlight on” interview, which centered around about ethics, biosecurity and our genomic data. He discussed the biosecurity risks of genomic data, where biosecurity responsibilities lie and the dangers of precision pathologies.…
James Giordano and Maggie Little were part of the faculty teaching the Intensive Bioethics Course (IBC) 44, which took place at Georgetown University on June 9-11, 2022.…
Popular Mechanics talks with Dr. James Giordano about attempting to achieve moral enhancement through neuromodularity, and the effects of such modulations in the real world.…
Dr. James Giordano addresses the ethical dilemma faced by physicians when, for the decision of vaccinating children, find parents with opposite wishes.…
James Giordano and Diane DiEuliis describe current scientific and technological developments in precision medicine. They assess the risks of using these tools and capabilities to exert disruptive influence upon human health, economics, social structure, military capabilities and global dimensions of power.…
Maggie Little and James Giordano spoke at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics 50th Anniversary Symposium on Bioethics, with the theme of “A New Era of Bioethics At Georgetown”. The symposium was held in Georgetown University, in association with the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, which celebrated its 30th anniversary, on June 1-5, 2021.…
James Giordano, Joseph DeFranco, and Diane DiEuliis propose an integrative approach to digital biosecurity to address present and future challenges of the convergence of neurobiology and computational capabilities.…
In this piece published on Defence IQ, James Giordano, Joseph DeFranco, and Diane DiEuliis address the challenges arising from the development of newer techniques and technologies –inclusive of neurodata– in relation to national security and defense initiatives.…
James Giordano and his co-authors present their research on 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, and examine if there are also specific local neuroethical, legal, socio-cultural issues relevant to such distinctions or similarities.…
Dr. James Giordano talks with Dr. Diane Hamilton about the neuroethical aspect of brain science, digging deep into the brain science of morality and ethics and the ethical, legal, and social issues that arise in and from neuroscience and its varied applications in biomedicine, public life, and daily occupational pursuits.…
James Giordano and his co-authors examine growth of the neuroscience and neurotechnology market in recent years. They discuss the distinct ethical and security issues posed by neurobioeconomy, provide examples of such issues, and propose a risk assessment and mitigation approach.…
James Giordano and Jane Doherty explore the reasons why people might be looking at science fiction stories since the global outbreak of COVID-19, and identify key takeaways of what we may learn from pandemic fiction.…
James Giordano talks about COVID-19, the effect of this pandemic on the Nation, its impact on national security, and the potential implications on future bio-security.…
Dr. James Giordano, Diane DiEuliis, Peter Emanuel and Alexander Titus study the 1918 pandemic, and re-contextualize the issues, problems and solutions of the past in light of the circumstances, capabilities and complexities of the present, considering the technical tools that are currently available for pandemic response, information acquisition, and issues of governmental transparency and communication in the face of public fear.…
To answer the urgent question of “How to reopen America”, CNN presents the expert opinions of Dr. James Giordano and Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein, suggesting “creative approaches to protecting those who are vulnerable, while keeping our society functioning and economy running”.…
James Giordano presented his work on “COVID-19: Demonstration and Lessons of Multiple-Order Biosecurity Risks and Threats” at the “Combating Global Coronavirus: From Isolation to International Cooperation” conference, which focused on the growing concern of the world community with consequences of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Working towards the goal of fostering effective biosecurity strategies to include emerging fields like neuroscience and neurotechnology (neuroS/T), James Giordano and Joseph DeFranco identify two general approaches that can be used to monitor brain science research, to facilitate the detection of dual and direct-use biological threats as they relate to advancements in brain sciences.…
In light of the developments the body-to-head transplant (BHT) in China, which have attracted considerable attention and criticism, Dr. James Giordano reflects about the evermore international enterprise of brain science, and the need for neuroethical discourse to include and appreciate multicultural views, values, and voices.…
Dr. Nigel Cameron, President and CEO of the Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies, interviewed Dr. James Giordano on his work in neuroscience, from basic research, to ethics, to defense applications; the public interest in the implications of this research, and the multi-national character of the projects he is part of.…