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Scientists Find Brain Cells Linked to Choice

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the choice-police-soon-to-follow dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Scotsman.com is reporting that Harvard Medical researchers may have found the neurons, or brain cells, that play a role in a persons ability to choose between different items. From the article: 'Scientists have known that cells in different parts of the brain react to attributes such as color, taste or quantity. Dr Camillo Padaoa-Schioppa and John Assad, an associate professor of neurobiology, found neurons involved in assigning values that help people to make choices.'"

3 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Does genetics make our choices? by heinousjay · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Forgive me for saying so, but it seems like you had a preordained conclusion and you're just, well, twisting the article just so to support it. Actually, saying your twisting it is overstating the case, because you're really just stating it supports your case without demonstrating how.

    If I'm wrong and you actually have some connection aside from what looks to be personal prejudice against people with disabilities, feel free to post it.

    --
    Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
  2. Re:Does genetics make our choices? by David_Shultz · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I personally feel that there are so many "disorders" these days, that people often find a crutch for every vice and desire. Instead of working tochange for the better, people say "That's the way I am... I can't change."
    I think people still have choices regardless of the addiction they suffer from (OCD disorders, Serial Killer, Gambling, etc.) A person doesn't HAVE TO Gamble, but it feels that way. He doesn't HAVE TO wash his hands 5 times, but he thinks he does.

    Likewise, gravity doesn't force us to fall, it just feels that way.

    Seriously dude, there is a reason the above mentioned disorders are classified as as such -because something is wrong (ie out of order; or if you prefer disordered) with the workings of the brain. For you to just jump up and say, "you know, I think these people really do have a choice." Is not just enlightened (nor does it follow from the article in any coherent way) but it is also insensitive and maybe even mean -it serves only to shift responsibility to people who should rightly be considered victims.

  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion