UNESCO to develop an ethical framework on neurotech devices

UNESCO to develop an ethical framework on neurotech devices

Subject :Science and Technology

Section:  Biotechnology

Context:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is all set to host an international conference to develop an ethical framework for the usage of neurotech devices that feed brain-wave data to computers through dry electrodes and implants.

Details:

• The first-of-its-kind conference hosted by the UN body will be held on July 13, 2023, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
• The dialogue will invite senior officials, policymakers, academics, civil society organisations and the private sector to address concerns regarding individual freedom of thought and privacy.
• UNESCO strives to develop a framework similar to the established global ethical frameworks on the human genome (1997), human genetic data (2003) and artificial intelligence (2021).
• Aim of the conference:
  • To lay the foundation for a global ethical framework.
  • It will be guided by a report by UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee on the “Ethical Issues of Neurotechnology”.
• Objective of the conference:
  • To discuss solutions to neurological problems with the help of neurotechnology while simultaneously assessing the threats it poses to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Neurotechnology:

• Neurotechnology encompasses any method or electronic device which interfaces with the nervous system to monitor or modulate neural activity.
• Common design goals for neuro technologies include using neural activity readings to control external devices such as neuro prosthetics, altering neural activity via neuromodulation to repair or normalize function affected by neurological disorders, or augmenting cognitive abilities.
• In addition to their therapeutic or commercial uses, neuro technologies also constitute powerful research tools to advance fundamental neuroscience knowledge.
• Some examples of neuro technologies include deep brain stimulation, photo stimulation based on optogenetics and photo pharmacology, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and brain–computer interfaces, such as cochlear implants and retinal implants.
• Major issues associated with neurotechnology:
  • Neurotechnology could help solve many health issues, but it could also access and manipulate people’s brains, and produce information about our identities, and our emotions.
  • It could threaten our rights to human dignity, freedom of thought and privacy,
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS):
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is approved to treat a number of conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • DBS is also being studied as a potential treatment for major depression, traumatic brain injury, stroke recovery, addiction, chronic pain, cluster headache, dementia, Tourette syndrome, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
• Possible side effects of DBS
  • Complications of DBS fall into three categories: Surgery complications, hardware (device and wires) complications and stimulation-related complications.