Consciousness has always been considered the final frontier of neurology, an enigma shrouded in mystery. New multidisciplinary research suggests we may need to revise our ideas about when exactly this fundamental human experience begins. Perhaps it is not a "switch" that turns on at the moment of birth, but rather a "dimmer" that gradually lights up, before we even come into the world.
Consciousness could wake up before birth: here's the scientific evidence
Imagine holding a newborn baby in your arms and wondering what's really going on in his little head. It's a thought that has crossed the mind of anyone who's ever had a baby (myself included). That little creature may already be aware of the world around it, perhaps even before it was born. The latest research in neuroscience (and philosophy) is starting to shed new light on this eternal enigma.
In research published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences (I link it to you here) the team presented four lines of evidence supporting the emergence of consciousness near the time of birth. These include advanced connectivity in the brain, indicators of attention, research involving the integration of information from different senses, and physical markers involved in surprise and reorientation of attention. It's not a small thing.
Beyond philosophy
Consciousness has often been relegated to the realm of philosophy, but this new data suggests it's time for science to get in on the act. Lorina Naci, a psychologist at Trinity College London, says that newborns can integrate sensory and cognitive responses into conscious experiences. This could have revolutionary implications in fields such as medical ethics, law and even computer science.
One of the most fascinating theories that emerged from the research, as mentioned, is that of consciousness as a continuum. Not a “switch” that turns on or off, but something that gradually lights up.
Ethical and legal implications
It's not just an academic question. For a long time, it was thought that newborns lacked the ability to perceive pain, which led to medical procedures being performed with minimal painkillers. These new findings could have a significant impact on how we treat the youngest members of our society.
It's all thanks to brain scanning technologies that continue to improve. They will allow us to reveal many fascinating mysteries: consciousness may not be an isolated phenomenon, but an integral part of the fabric of our existence, which begins much earlier than we ever imagined.
And if that's not enough reason to make us think deeply, then what is?
