The Potential Transformation of Our Species by Neural Enhancement

Ethical aspects of brain computer interfaces: a scoping review

“…This is sometimes explained in terms of the unprecedented direct contact between brain and machine that is inherent to BCI [ 6 ]. On another note, Zehr believes that we could actually overcome the limitations of our species, evolve into a “ Homo sapiens technologicus” that uses technology to enhance its functioning [ 34 ]. In addition to this, research has found that BCI users are not entirely comfortable with the idea of ‘cyborgization’: interviewed BCI users tended to distance themselves from the idea of becoming a functional man-machine hybrid [ 35 ].…”

“…The literature also contains occasional references to broader societal impacts, whether in terms of reactions towards religious or military uses of BCI [ 36 ], or in terms of changing social norms and “slippery slopes” [ 7 ]. Enhancement and transhumanism, too, are sometimes invoked by name [ 34 , 35 ]. Authors also debated research priorities [ 13 , 42 ]—should funds be directed towards the needs of individuals or populations, or towards neurological or social problems?—and referenced a need for guiding ethical principles [ 22 , 31 , 54 ] and new forms of regulation [ 1 , 4 , 49 , 55 ].…”

Future think: cautiously optimistic about brain augmentation using tissue engineering and machine interface

“…Technological augmentation of so-called “normal” human function moves us away from the functional limitations of our species and closer to “super” human function (Zehr, 2015 ), as with suggestions found in the transhumanist literature (Mcnamee and Edwards, 2006 ). Future applications of emerging technology can continue to shift us from our subspecies of homo sapiens sapiens to the transformative homo sapiens technologicus —a species that uses, fuses and integrates technology to enhance its own function (Zehr, 2011 , 2015 ).…”

“…In fact, this yields Two Laws, since Asimov's declaration (original Law 2) that a robot “must obey order given to it by human beings” is irrelevant. In this future look, the user is the interface and the term human being applies to all and related subspecies (e.g., homo sapiens sapiens and homo sapiens technologicus ; Zehr, 2015 ).…”

Neural Enhancement for Independent Living

“…As E. Paul Zehr (2015) highlighted in his commentary, there exists a transformative potential that may see the realization of human capabilities extending beyond those that are lost in the course of normal and abnormal aging. Although presently debated most vigorously in the context of noninvasive brain stimulation (e.g., Cohen Kadosh, Levy, O'Shea, Shea, & Savulescu, 2012) and pharmacological interventions (e.g., Greely et al, 2008), the implications are generic.…”