Ethical aspects of brain computer interfaces: a scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundBrain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a set of technologies that are of increasing interest to researchers. BCI has been proposed as assistive technology for individuals who are non-communicative or paralyzed, such as those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal cord injury. The technology has also been suggested for enhancement and entertainment uses, and there are companies currently marketing BCI devices for those purposes (e.g., gaming) as well as health-related purposes (e.g., communication). The unprecedented direct connection created by BCI between human brains and computer hardware raises various ethical, social, and legal challenges that merit further examination and discussion.MethodsTo identify and characterize the key issues associated with BCI use, we performed a scoping review of biomedical ethics literature, analyzing the ethics concerns cited across multiple disciplines, including philosophy and medicine.ResultsBased on this investigation, we report that BCI research and its potential translation to therapeutic intervention generate significant ethical, legal, and social concerns, notably with regards to personhood, stigma, autonomy, privacy, research ethics, safety, responsibility, and justice. Our review of the literature determined, furthermore, that while these issues have been enumerated extensively, few concrete recommendations have been expressed.ConclusionsWe conclude that future research should focus on remedying a lack of practical solutions to the ethical challenges of BCI, alongside the collection of empirical data on the perspectives of the public, BCI users, and BCI researchers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12910-017-0220-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

What is it like to use a BCI? – insights from an interview study with brain-computer interface users

“…Technology is accordingly regarded as a potential to get there and is seen overly positive. To engage in more technology use, or even a "cyborgization" [16] is therefore seen as an opportunity and not a threat. Neil, for example, explained:…”

“…These technologies potentially raise interesting questions that ethicists have highlighted and discussed. Burwell et al [16] synthesize ethical issues addressed throughout the BCI literature. They comprise safety, risk-benefit deliberations, humanity and personhood, stigma, normality, autonomy, responsibility, informed consent and research ethics, privacy, security and justice.…”

Digital pills: a scoping review of the empirical literature and analysis of the ethical aspects

“…2. As recommended by the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews [25] and also often made in scoping reviews with an ethical scope [51], results are reported in a narrative fashion. 3…”

30+ years of P300 brain–computer interfaces

“…In addition to ethical concerns with patient populations, BCI use raises concerns that could apply to any user. Several articles specific to BCI have examined privacy, agency, safety, identity, and other ethical issues (Burwell, Sample, & Racine, 2017; Kübler, 2019; Kübler et al, 2001; McCullagh, Lightbody, Zygierewicz, & Kernohan, 2014; Nijboer, 2015; Schneider, Fins, & Wolpaw, 2012; Sullivan & Illes, 2018). Surveys of BCI Meeting attendees have indicated that such considerations are shared by many in the field, and that misrepresentation of BCIs in the media has exacerbated ethical issues (Nijboer, Clausen, Allison, & Haselager, 2011, 2013).…”