Health

Prospective analysis of the ethical boundaries of brain computer interface technology

2025-01-20   

Technology is a powerful tool for development, but it can also become a source of risk. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We need to proactively assess the rule conflicts, social risks, and ethical challenges brought about by technological development, and improve relevant laws, regulations, ethical review rules, and regulatory frameworks. Brain computer interfaces are the forefront of current technological development and will also become an important track for future industrial development. We must adhere to the principle of technology for the good, proactively assess the ethical challenges brought by brain computer interface technology, clarify its ethical boundaries, and enable technology to better enhance human well-being. In 2024, the world's first successful human brain device implantation surgery was achieved. The use of brain computer interface technology in the human brain reminds us of the novel "Brave New World" by British author Huxley. In this novel, the author fictionalizes a future society that is completely transformed by technology, and most of the people in the novel are manipulated by biotechnology. Today, some stories that used to only appear in science fiction novels and movies seem to be becoming a reality with the continuous development of brain computer interface technology. Once brain computer interface technology is widely applied after maturity, it will inevitably have a significant impact on the development of human society. The unknown is far greater than the known, and we must attach great importance to this and conduct forward-looking research and judgment. The development of brain computer interface technology has gone through a long-term process. In 1924, Hans Berger of Germany recorded the tiny vibrations of an ammeter mirror on the scalp of a patient with skull defects, marking the first recorded human brain electrical activity in human history. In 1973, American scientist Jacques Vidal first proposed the term "brain computer interface", which refers to a system that can convert brain signals into computer-controlled signals. In January 2024, the world's first human brain device implantation surgery was successfully completed. After decades of development, brain computer interface technology has now entered the stage of application experiments. Brain computer interface is also a cutting-edge field that many companies in China focus on researching. Of course, as experts in related fields have pointed out, although brain computer interface technology has made rapid progress, its technical shortcomings have not been fully resolved, such as faults and deviations in brain implant software devices and algorithms, physiological rejection caused by low sensor biocompatibility, and low cure rates of brain computer interface technology. Given that brain computer interface technology is an intervention and guidance for brain neural activity, its technology can have an impact on human cognitive and practical systems. Before the technology is fully developed, it cannot be guaranteed that it will not have adverse effects on the human body, and there are potential ethical risks in its practical use. We must adhere to the value principle of technology for good, uphold the bottom line of maintaining human dignity in technological development, and proactively set necessary ethical boundaries for the development of brain computer interface technology. From the perspective of promoting the healthy development of brain computer interface technology, a reasonable approach is to strictly distinguish the types of different brain computer interface technologies and establish a classification management mechanism. In theory, brain computer interface technology can be classified into different types based on its usage and purpose. For example, based on whether it is implanted into the human brain, brain computer interface technology can be specifically divided into two categories: non-invasive brain computer interface technology and invasive brain computer interface technology. For non-invasive brain computer interface technology, as it is not implanted into the human brain and is only used as an auxiliary tool for the body, its impact on the body is relatively small. Therefore, generally, more lenient ethical review measures can be taken. However, considering that brain computer interface technology is an intervention and guidance for brain neural activity, which ultimately affects human cognition and practical activities, it should naturally follow internationally recognized basic ethical principles such as autonomy, non harm, benefit, and justice, and must not violate relevant national laws and ethical norms, harm public interests, and be subject to review by the ethics committee of the unit where it is located. Invasive brain computer interface technology has greater ethical risks, and its use should not only comply with the above requirements of non-invasive brain computer interface technology, but also undergo stricter ethical review. According to different usage purposes, brain computer interface technology can be specifically divided into two categories: reparative brain computer interface technology and enhanced brain computer interface technology. The reparative brain computer interface technology aims to achieve the prevention and treatment of certain neurological diseases for medical purposes. Due to the fact that this matter concerns the most fundamental life and health interests of individuals, and maintaining the basic life and health interests of individuals is the most basic and legitimate interest demand of individuals, the theoretical controversy surrounding the use of this technology is not significant. However, considering that brain computer interface technology is an intervention and guidance for brain neural activity, relevant researchers should fully recognize that the use of this technology may have an impact on people's physical and mental health, and strict ethical review measures should be taken for the possible physical and mental harm and rights infringement caused by its use. For enhanced brain computer interface technology, as the technology is still in its early stages of development, the applicable social fields and reasonable degree of enhancement are still uncertain, and its adverse effects on humans are not clear. Compared with reparative brain computer interface technology, there are more unknown risks. Therefore, when using enhanced brain computer interface technology, it is necessary to fully consider the risks and benefits of its use, adopt stricter ethical review measures, and minimize the negative impact on humans. (New Press) (Author affiliation: Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Peking University)

Edit:Chen Jie Responsible editor:Li Ling

Source:People's Daily

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