Reply to “Separating neuroethics from neurohype”

Hastings Center Report, 2015

IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, 2018

The Changing Scope of Technoethics in Contemporary Society, 2018

Using cognitive enhancement technology is becoming increasingly popular. In another paper, the authors argued that using pharmacological cognitive enhancers is detrimental to society, through promoting competitiveness over cooperation, by usurping personal and social identifies and thus changing our narrative and moral character. In this chapter, the authors seek to expand that argument by looking at an emerging technology that is rapidly gaining popularity, that of transcranial stimulation (TS). Here the authors explore TS via two major methods, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES). In this, the authors seek to demonstrate that artificial cognitive enhancement is detrimental to society. Furthermore, that the argument can be applied beyond the moral dubiousness of using pharmacological cognitive enhancement, but applied to new, emergent technologies as well. In other words, artificial cognitive enhancement regardless of the technology/medium is detrimental to society.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2012

In response to the early success of deep brain stimulation, we offer some common-sense strategies to sustain the work, addressing the need to do so in a fiscally workable, ethically transparent, and scientifically informed manner. After delineating major threats, we will suggest reforms in both the legislative and regulatory spheres that might remediate these challenges. We will recommend (1) revisions to the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, which governs intellectual property exchange resulting from federally funded research; (2) revisions to the Association of American Medical

Annals of Bioethics & Clinical Applications , 2021

Nowadays, smart home devices have started to take a part in everything in our life, which mainly have been developed to consist from brain computer interface (BCI). In recent months, Neuralink BCI (1024-Electode) has been approved to be used by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA. That makes the ethical related studies have more attention to apply these devices and technologies in our daily life with more security. In this work, the ethical challenges of smart home systems that use BCI for personal monitoring, such as Neuralink Interfaces, have been reviewed, analysed and discussed regarding the fundamental principles in 'Statement of Ethical Principles for the Engineering Profession' of the UK. Firstly, a brief introduction of Neuralink BCI technology and important applications in daily life were discussed with related ethics issues. Then, proposed solutions and recommendations for every situation have been introduced and discussed as well. The main proposed ways to address that are establishing and introducing the related laws and rules, technology development of security and safety, and educate for acceptance culture in the society.

Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering, 2018

"This article reviews neuroethics issues that arise with the development, translation, and use of technologies for neuromodulation. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and PhilPapers) were searched for relevant articles published between 1/1/16–6/26/18. We focus on pressing ethical issues related to the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS), adaptive DBS (aDBS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and associated technologies. The neuroethics issues we address include privacy, continued access to devices, device removal, do-it-yourself neurostimulation, neuroenhancement, media coverage, changes in personal identity and agency, informed consent, and neuromodulation in minors. This review should be of assistance to a variety of stakeholders, including neurotechnology developers, as they make important decisions that will drive these neurotechnologies."

2021 43rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC)

Electrode position affects the brain current flow intensity and distribution induced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPFC) is a common target in neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry applications. A positioning scheme and subsequently a headgear has previously been developed to target the DLPFC automatically-devoid of any scalp ruler or neuronavigation method. This approach minimizes the time cost for pre-treatment measurements without compromising targeting accuracy and induced electric field focality. The goal of this study was to further develop this headgear to facilitate broader adoption while maintaining its core design elements intact. Briefly, we developed the headset to accommodate all adult head sizes (52-62 cm) rather than having multiple sizes, to have increased robustness, enhanced visual aesthetics, and have improved usability. We recruited 8 subjects and tested the accuracy of electrode placement on various head sizes. We also tested usability with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and asked the subjects to rate visual appeal. Our study demonstrated that the newly developed headset had greater usability and was more visually appealing than its predecessor without compromising targeting accuracy. Clinical Relevance-This study introduces a headset for routine tDCS administration targeting bilateral DLPFC. The headset is highly usable, robust, and is expected to facilitate home and high-volume use.

Journal of Medical Ethics, 2015

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a simple means of brain stimulation, possesses a trifecta of appealing features: it is relatively safe, relatively inexpensive and relatively effective. It is also relatively easy to obtain a device and the do-it-yourself (DIY) community has become galvanised by reports that tDCS can be used as an all-purpose cognitive enhancer. We provide practical recommendations designed to guide balanced discourse, propagate norms of safe use and stimulate dialogue between the DIY community and regulatory authorities. We call on all stakeholdersregulators, scientists and the DIY community-to share in crafting policy proposals that ensure public safety while supporting DIY innovation.

Brain Stimulation, 2015

In the last decade, an increasing number of studies have suggested that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may enhance brain function in healthy individuals, and ameliorate cognitive and other symptoms in patients suffering from various medical conditions. This, along with its presumed safety, simplicity, and affordability, has generated great enthusiasm amongst researchers, clinicians, patient populations, and the public (including a growing "do-it-yourself" community). However, discussion about the effectiveness and ethics of tDCS thus far has been confined to small groups of tDCS researchers and bioethicists. We conducted an international online survey targeting the opinions of researchers using tDCS who were asked to rate the technique's efficacy in different contexts. We also surveyed opinions about ethical concerns, self-enhancement and public availability. 265 complete responses were received and analyzed statistically and thematically. Our results emphasize the potential uses of tDCS in clinical and research contexts, but also highlight a number of emerging methodological and safety concerns, ethical challenges and the need for improved communication between researchers and bioethicists with regard to regulation of the device. Neither the media reputation of tDCS as a "miracle device" nor concerns expressed in recent neuroethical publications were entirely borne out in expert opinion.

The Stimulated Brain , 2014