Ethical risks and considerations of brain-controlled and neuromodulation technologies

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurotechnology Ethics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Brain-controlled technology (BCT), including brain-computer interfaces (BCI), interprets neural signals for device control.
• Neuromodulation uses external stimuli to regulate the central nervous system for functional modulation and therapy.
• Public discourse often conflates these technologies, leading to ethical anxiety due to misinterpretations of capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate the functional positioning and ethical risk profiles of BCT and neuromodulation.
• To develop a stratified ethical risk assessment model for neurotechnologies.
• To propose a differentiated, tiered governance strategy for responsible neurotechnology innovation.

Main Methods:

• Clarification of functional positioning of BCT and neuromodulation.
• Construction of a three-dimensional assessment model (reality, reversibility, technological dependence) for risk analysis.
• Analysis of risk distribution asymmetry between BCT and neuromodulation.

Main Results:

• BCT risks are concentrated on neural privacy and responsibility attribution in intention decoding.
• Neuromodulation risks are associated with potential erosion of personal identity and autonomy.
• A significant asymmetry in ethical risk distribution between the two technologies was identified.

Conclusions:

• A differentiated tiered governance strategy is proposed, starting with terminology clarification.
• Technical safeguards (hardware fusing, safety windows) and data protection measures (desensitization, algorithmic accountability) are recommended.
• A multi-subject synergistic governance mechanism across the full technology lifecycle is essential for responsible neurotechnology innovation.