Advanced neurotechnologies, such as Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), can connect the human brain to a computer or a machine. BCIs have great potential, for example, decoding speech directly from individuals’ brains with impressive speed and accuracy, giving stroke patients with disabilities the promise of talking again. But, while neurotechnologies will offer great insights into the human brain and potential therapeutic applications, they also pose privacy and other ethical concerns. A potential solution to ethical issues of neurotechnologies are “NeuroRights,” five new human rights devised to protect individuals in the face of new neurotechnologies. The NeuroRights include the right to personal identity, free-will, mental privacy, equal access to mental augmentation, and protection from algorithmic bias. Through international advocacy, NeuroRights are being included in proposed legislations and soft laws in different countries, including Chile and Spain.
Keywords
- Human rights
- Privacy
- Agency
- Identity
- Bias
- Augmentation