Research On Ethical Problems Of Novel Neuro - Technology

The novel neurotechnology represented by DBS, BCI and fMRI features uncertainty, ambiguity and great social influence. The ethical issues caused by neurotechnology can be divided into general and special types. The general type has been fully discussed, but the special type has not come to agreement on basic concepts and viewpoints in Chinese and foreign literature.Regarding general ethical issues, this dissertation distinguishes between technical and non-technical risks and studies two possible situations where people use novel neurotechnology with limited autonomy. With respect to special ethical issues, this dissertation focuses on incidental findings disclosure, mind privacy, responsibility confirmation, personal identity. The author advocates that it’s ethical for researchers to inform the subject of fMRI incidental findings,but fMRI can’t been applied in Forensic Sciences. BCI users need to be responsible for their behaviors if BCI device is unable to issue behavior intentions automatically and manufacturers set risk thresholds.BCI device challenges human ontology mostly in the aspect of self-awareness and communication method. Physiological and memory criterion can be used to evaluate whether the personal identity has changed during the use of BCI technology. As the mind privacy is constantly deconstructed and revealed, the individual may gradually lose "self" and even undermine human dignity.After analyzing these ethical issues and dilemmas, the paper formulates an ethical framework for evaluating novel neurotechnology, including acceptable risk-benefit ratio, respecting autonomy, protecting privacy, just distribution and assuming responsibility.