Neuro-Ethos: The Ethics of Neurotechnology Advancements

In the evolving field of Bionic and Robotic Devices, Neurotechnology, particularly Neural Implants, stands as an increasingly influential sector. However, as Neural Implant technology advances, a significant challenge has emerged with manufacturers abandoning projects, leading to a phenomenon known as "abandonware." This leaves individuals who rely on these implants in vulnerable positions and raises serious ethical, clinical, and legal concerns.

The NeuroEthos project aims to comprehensively examine the implications of neural implant abandonware. It seeks to understand the reasons for such abandonments and their impacts on individuals and society, focusing on ethical, technical, clinical, and policy dimensions.

The project employs a multifaceted approach, starting with mapping and analyzing past Neurotech failures, with the goal to gather a comprehensive Body of Evidence. This is followed by conducting interviews with patients and key opinion leaders to gather firsthand experiences. The project then moves to a normative-empirical analysis to refine recommendations and adapt ethical frameworks. Finally, it focuses on dissemination and awareness raising to share findings and recommendations with the NeuroTech industry, scientific community, and patient groups.

NeuroEthos is the first project to address neural implant abandonware from a scientific and empirical perspective. The project aims to benefit patients by analyzing the individual impact of abandonware and revising clinical trial and consent processes. It also aims to raise awareness at the societal and healthcare levels and propose actionable societal recommendations. This initiative is not only urgent but also a moral imperative, aiming to safeguard individual well-being and societal integrity in the face of rapidly advancing Neurotechnology as a frontier in Bionic and Robotic Devices.

The NeuroEthos project is funded by the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) as an International Collaborative Project.

Read more about the project in the latest issue of UniNova magazine, the University of Basel's research magazine.