From Healthcare to Warfare and Reverse: How Should We Regulate Dual-Use Neurotechnology?

Marcello Ienca; Fabrice Jotterand; Bernice S Elger

doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.017

From Healthcare to Warfare and Reverse: How Should We Regulate Dual-Use Neurotechnology?

Neuron. 2018 Jan 17;97(2):269-274. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.017.

Authors

Marcello Ienca¹, Fabrice Jotterand², Bernice S Elger³

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Health Ethics and Policy Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology (HEST), ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: marcello.ienca@hest.ethz.ch.
² Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
³ Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; University Center for Legal Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

PMID: 29346750
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.017

Abstract

Recent advances in military-funded neurotechnology and novel opportunities for misusing neurodevices show that the problem of dual use is inherent to neuroscience. This paper discusses how the neuroscience community should respond to these dilemmas and delineates a neuroscience-specific biosecurity framework. This neurosecurity framework involves calibrated regulation, (neuro)ethical guidelines, and awareness-raising activities within the scientific community.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Armed Conflicts
Biomedical Technology / ethics*
Biomedical Technology / legislation & jurisprudence
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Computer Security
Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological / adverse effects
Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological / ethics*
Dual Use Research / ethics*
Dual Use Research / legislation & jurisprudence
Humans
Inventions / ethics*
Inventions / legislation & jurisprudence
Lie Detection
Military Medicine / ethics*
Military Medicine / legislation & jurisprudence
Nervous System Diseases / rehabilitation
Nervous System Diseases / therapy
Neurosciences / ethics*
Neurosciences / legislation & jurisprudence
Self-Help Devices / adverse effects
Self-Help Devices / ethics
Terrorism
Torture