Veteran and Brain-Computer Interfaces: The Duty to Care

Area of Science:

• Military Technology
• Human Augmentation
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The concept of the enhanced soldier has emerged in the 21st century, driven by military competition and technological advancement.
• The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a key player in developing these augmented soldiers.
• This development represents a significant shift in anthropotechnics, focusing on human modification for warfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the implications of human enhancement in military contexts.
• To examine the role of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) in soldier augmentation.
• To address the ethical and practical challenges posed by enhanced soldiers.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of military technological advancements.
• Review of scientific literature on human augmentation and BCIs.
• Ethical and societal impact assessment.

Main Results:

• The integration of BCIs into soldiers poses risks of psychocognitive and emotional effects.
• BCIs may create vulnerabilities, allowing potential enemy access to a soldier's inner self.
• The hybridization of soldiers through technology introduces novel challenges.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced soldiers, particularly those using BCIs, represent a new frontier in military capabilities.
• This technological evolution necessitates new ethical frameworks and responsibilities for commanders and policymakers.
• A new paradigm of care will be required for veterans of this enhanced military era.