Toward a Method for Exposing and Elucidating Ethical Issues with Human Cognitive Enhancement Technologies

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Bioethics
• Technology Assessment

Background:

• Human cognitive enhancement (HCE) presents significant ethical challenges.
• Emerging HCE technologies require robust ethical assessment frameworks.
• Existing methods may not adequately address the complexities of HCE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a systematic method for exposing and elucidating ethical issues in human cognitive enhancement.
• To support transparent deliberation and decision-making regarding HCE.
• To provide a foundation for context-specific ethical analysis of HCE.

Main Methods:

• Literature search to identify relevant ethical assessment approaches.
• Conventional content analysis of identified methods against four selection criteria.
• Method development based on health technology assessment principles.
• Pilot testing and amendment using smart-glasses as a case study.

Main Results:

• A six-step method for ethical issue assessment in HCE was developed.
• The method incorporates a guiding list of 43 questions.
• Pilot testing refined the method for practical application.
• The developed method provides a groundwork for ethical analysis.

Conclusions:

• A novel method effectively exposes and elucidates ethical issues in HCE assessment.
• The method facilitates informed and transparent decision-making for HCE technologies.
• Encourages widespread adoption, amendment, and further development of the ethical assessment method.