Brain scans not fingerprints for behavior

This is a response to an article printed in "Slate" online magazine: http://www.slate.com/id/2179392/fr/flyout

In the real world of medicine, signs and symptoms that might relate to brain function or rather dysfunction (based on science) are routinely investigated via CT scans , MRI scans PET scans or other. If the scans reveal a physiological basis for the patients presenting symptoms (behavior) then the diagnosis is made. Usually stroke, in the form of hemorrhage or clot. Sometimes chronic vascular changes can be identified as a culprit in changing behavior patterns. Perhaps a tumor or other vascular maliday. The point here is to make clear that the scans are done to confirm or rule out illness, not to discover it without having a history of behavioral changes. In other words, it is highly unlikely that any single person can have a blind scan that will reveal whether they are fit for the duty of U.S. President due to physiological changes especially if not comparable to a previous scan of the same type or known behavioral manifestations. Chemical imbalances in the brain that result in depression, schizophrenia, manic or bipolar tendencies or antisocial personality traits have yet to be proven conclusively and repeatedly demonstrable on scans.

I am not against this investigative research, so long as it is done under the auspices of true science. Brain scans are not fingerprints to identifying etiologies of behavior, not by a long-shot, at least yet given the current technology. But I also have no problem allowing the press to publish preliminary data by any sort of research affiliate as I do not wish to impose censorship on a free press. So long as the information is not damaging to the public welfare and not done for the exclusive purpose of profit, I want to be informed of opinion on all aspects of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This gentleman, Dr. Amen, having graduated from Oral Roberts University, in my opinion, immediately negates any scientific research he may have been doing especially since he claims he is doing this at the behest of god. Perhaps he needs a scan to see if his brain has been rewired into a cross. Enough said.

To emphasize this point, we scan when there are behavioral changes. Hence, one merely needs to look at the behavior of candidates inclusive of their voting record to determine if they are fit for duty. Scanning is the lazy mans way of doing due diligence when one wishes to cast an informed vote for this high position. Lets get real. This country doesn't need anymore reason to sit on a couch and flip channels by having our candidates culled from a series of, at best, weakly speculative cerebral scans.