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Neurochips: An Ethical Consideration

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Learning and Career Development in Neurosurgery

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Abstract

A neurochip comprises a small device based on the brain–machine interfaces (BMI) that emulates the functioning synapses. Its implant in the human body allows the interaction of the brain with a computer. Although the data-processing speed is still slower than that of the human brain, they are being developed. There is no ethical conflict as long as it is used for neural rehabilitation or to supply impaired or missing neurological functions. However, other applications emerge as controversial.

Deliberation on neurochips is primarily limited to a small circle of scholars such as neurotechnological engineers, artists, philosophers, and bioethicists. Why do we address neurosurgeons? They will be directly involved as they could be required to perform invasive procedures.

Future neurosurgeons will have to be a different type of neurosurgeon. They will be part of interdisciplinary teams interacting with computer engineers, neurobiologist, and ethicists. Although a neurosurgeon is not expected to be an expert in all areas, they have to be familiar with them; they have to be prepared to determine indications, contraindications, and risks of the procedures, participating in the decision-making processes, and even collaborating in the design of devices in order to preserve anatomic structures. Social, economic, and legal aspects are also inherent to the neurosurgical activity; therefore, these aspects should also be considered.

The neurosurgical societies, and the directors of training programs, should start to prepare young doctors to anticipate these kind of neuroethical issues. Perhaps, the neurosurgical community, even in collaboration with the WHO (World Health Organization) and PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), should anticipate worldwide ethical recommendations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Alejandra T. Rabadán

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahd University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Imam Faisal Bin Abdelrahman University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed Ammar

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  1. Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahd University Hospital, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed Ammar

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Rabadán, A.T., Ammar, A. (2022). Neurochips: An Ethical Consideration. In: Ammar, A. (eds) Learning and Career Development in Neurosurgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-02078-0_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-02078-0_11

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