Human brain development Joe Gould + Nile Cook

Brain development in the uterus The human brain begins development at merely 3 weeks of age Brain development is how the brain grows and how neurones connect together Scientists refer to the term “plasticity” when describing the state of the prenatal brain This means children are more susceptible to the environment they grow up in.

Brain development in the uterus Brain development begins with the neural tube’s formation and closure The neural tube is formed from the neural plate and is constructed after just 27 days after conception Brain development can be affected by maternal behaviourisms (diet and lifestyle choices)

Animal models In the 1960s Hubel and Wiesel carried out some ground-breaking neurological research They used light deprivation to see if there were critical windows for visual capacity development in monkeys and kittens They found out that there were indeed “critical periods” during which particular light stimuli were required for full development of visual capacity.

Ethics and morals Animals are used in medical experiments to try to improve the quality of life of humans A lot of the time animals are harmed are experience intense pain which leads to permanent damage. Animal experimenters are very aware of this ethical problem and acknowledge that experiments should be made as humane as possible.

Ethics and morals There are two viewpoints on animal research; Animal research is acceptable because it provides benefits to humans that no other research could provide Animal research is unacceptable because the human benefits reaped do not justify the torture that some animals go through Scientists are advised to follow guidelines to minimise harm to animals (the Three Rs)