Discussion:
It is my belief that BCI research to effect cognition, memory and thought is just an extension of work that aims to effect change in the brain. From psychotherapy to pharmacological intervention, research has focused for a long time on assisting patients in need with altering their mental state, particularly for diagnoses such as depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and other debilitating diseases. Patients with minimal use of their limbs or with neurodegenerative diseases may be able to regain certain functions with electrical stimulation to the brain (2). With the significant decline in cost for computational power and devices over the last two decades, it seems natural that there would be an extension of these devices …show more content…
Patient autonomy is paramount and they have a right to know all of the information, risks and benefits, pertaining to a particular study or treatment for which they may partake. With that in mind, how can patients who are using BCI’s to alter their mental states in real time, perhaps being controlled externally, truly give informed consent at a given point of said research (10)? It is one thing to set expectations prior to beginning treatment with such a device or technology, but what about during that treatment should the situation change? Is it feasible to have an ongoing dialogue with a patient whose mind is being altered with each passage of treatment? This idea has been studied well in the context of psychosurgery, but it takes on new significance in the context of direct, real-time alteration of the brain for therapeutic purposes or for enhancing cognitive function …show more content…
If the scientific community wants to continue to allow studies on BCI’s for the enhancement of cognitive function to continue, it will be important to involve and engage in discussions with the non-scientific community. To receive public approval for technologies that could be used in major military operations or applied to real-time alterations of the brain (perhaps, a form of mind control), then the research community at large should anticipate the ethical issues that can arise
It is my belief that BCI research to effect cognition, memory and thought is just an extension of work that aims to effect change in the brain. From psychotherapy to pharmacological intervention, research has focused for a long time on assisting patients in need with altering their mental state, particularly for diagnoses such as depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and other debilitating diseases. Patients with minimal use of their limbs or with neurodegenerative diseases may be able to regain certain functions with electrical stimulation to the brain (2). With the significant decline in cost for computational power and devices over the last two decades, it seems natural that there would be an extension of these devices …show more content…
Patient autonomy is paramount and they have a right to know all of the information, risks and benefits, pertaining to a particular study or treatment for which they may partake. With that in mind, how can patients who are using BCI’s to alter their mental states in real time, perhaps being controlled externally, truly give informed consent at a given point of said research (10)? It is one thing to set expectations prior to beginning treatment with such a device or technology, but what about during that treatment should the situation change? Is it feasible to have an ongoing dialogue with a patient whose mind is being altered with each passage of treatment? This idea has been studied well in the context of psychosurgery, but it takes on new significance in the context of direct, real-time alteration of the brain for therapeutic purposes or for enhancing cognitive function …show more content…
If the scientific community wants to continue to allow studies on BCI’s for the enhancement of cognitive function to continue, it will be important to involve and engage in discussions with the non-scientific community. To receive public approval for technologies that could be used in major military operations or applied to real-time alterations of the brain (perhaps, a form of mind control), then the research community at large should anticipate the ethical issues that can arise