Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
that the drug actually allows them to finally feel like themselves (Kramer
1997). Who is to say what the true self is and whether somebody is in touch
with it? still, prospective users of neuroenhancers need to consider that a
single drug is unlikely to be good at promoting all possible life projects.
Brain-Machine Interfaces: Special Ethical Concerns
Two major ethical concerns arise from brain-machine interfacing tech-
nology that is a decade or more in the future. The first is the potential for
artificial sensory input technology to move beyond therapy and provide
users with an alternative reality, not unlike in the film
The Matrix.
What
will be the effects on individuals' relationships and on society as a whole
if pornographic, murderous, and other exploitive experiences are easily
downloadable into the brain and one feels the “experiences” as though they
were real? What restrictions, if any, ought to apply to uses of artificial sen-
sory input technologies?
The second concern is over BCi technology used to control mobile ro-
bots or other external devices with one's thoughts. how can we prevent
use of such robots in criminal acts? how should legal systems treat crimes
committed by robots? As it is, one cannot be tried and convicted for think-
ing about a criminal activity. But if one's thoughts were purposefully, or
inadvertently, put into action by a robotic device, where does the respon-
sibility lie? how will we prevent a hacker from gaining control of your ro-
bot with his mind? how should military and law enforcement applications
of such technology be regulated? roboethics, a new subdiscipline of eth-
ics, may be needed to deal with questions like these.
22
Conclusion
neuroenhancers include psychoactive drugs, computer-brain interfaces,
and other technological interventions that augment or modify brain func-
tion.
Neuroenhancement
here refers to the non-therapeutic use of neuro-
enhancers. neuroethics is a subdiscipline of ethics that deals with the ma-
nipulation of brain activity. neuroethics currently concerns itself mainly
with ethical issues raised by new technologies aimed at enhancing, stimu-
Search WWH ::
Custom Search