The continuous development of brain computer interface technology is intensifying ethical challenges
2025-08-06
For many years, humans have been fantasizing about how to use "ideas" to manipulate computers, control prosthetics, and command robots... These ideas that once existed in science fiction movies are now entering reality. Stroke, paralysis, ALS... These difficult diseases are facing new treatment possibilities with the continuous development of brain computer interface technology, but at the same time, ethical and legal challenges are also intensifying. Brain computer interface is a direct communication channel established between the human brain and external devices. It is like a "bridge" built between the brain and machines, which not only promotes the evolution of human-computer interaction, but also opens up new paths for neuroscience research and the treatment of neurological diseases. CorTec, a German company specializing in brain computer interface research and development, has developed a brain computer interface with a 32 channel "electrode pad" placed beneath the skull, according to its co-founder Martin Schutler. Electrodes have bidirectionality, which can record the electrical activity of brain neurons, read the electrical signals generated by the brain when "thinking" or "issuing motor commands", and also provide electrical stimulation to the brain. A 52 year old male patient in Seattle, USA, suffered from multiple strokes that left him paralyzed. Despite long-term physical therapy, his physical function did not recover as expected. Not long ago, he successfully implanted the brain computer interface chip developed by CorTec company. We hope to stimulate the patient's brain during rehabilitation training to see if it can help them recover more function, "said Jeffrey Ojelman, a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the United States. Ojelman believes that stroke can damage the areas and neural circuits responsible for controlling movements in the brain, leading to impaired bodily function. But as long as some neurons survive and remain connected, they may form new pathways through rehabilitation training and external stimulation, helping the brain "relearn" lost functions. The brain computer interface technology of the American company "NeuroConnect" involves inserting an implant containing 1024 microelectrodes deep into brain tissue to achieve direct connection with neurons. The company stated that as of now, 5 severely paralyzed patients worldwide have implanted the device and achieved basic "brain control" functions. The company recently announced that it will conduct a new clinical study in the UK to test whether chips can help severely paralyzed patients control digital devices and real-world tools. The German newspaper "Handelsblatt" pointed out that brain stimulation technology is not a new thing, and such applications have a history of decades. For example, Parkinson's disease patients can improve gait and motor function by implanting neural stimulators. Nowadays, with the combination of implantable brain computer interfaces and artificial intelligence technology, the research field has further expanded and attracted more and more attention from technology capital. As technology continues to approach the 'core of the human brain', some deeper problems have also surfaced. Brain computer interface chips are no longer simply implanted devices, they directly contact the place where our thoughts are generated. So, who will manage these chips? Who owns the collected data? If chips can not only read but also 'write' signals, can our will still remain pure? Anil Seth, a neuroscience professor at the University of Sussex in the UK, believes that a core issue brought about by the development of brain computer interface technology is privacy. If people start outputting signals of brain activity, they are actually opening up access to personal behavior, even thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, "he said." Once the information inside the brain is mastered by others, there will be almost no barriers to obtaining individual privacy. "Christoph Brulitz, an expert at the Law School of Hamburg University in Germany, believes that with the advancement of brain computer interface technology, ethical and legal challenges are also constantly intensifying. He pointed out that once the brain computer interface chip is implanted and deeply interacts with the nervous system, it becomes not just an external device, but a part of the human body. After implantation, do users have the right to modify the software code of the chip or even "crack" it? He believes that chip implantation should mean the termination of software or hardware property rights that originally belonged to the manufacturer. Bublitz said that brain computer interfaces may bring not only information reading, but also automatic regulation of emotions. But if this regulation is passive or even unnoticed, can chip users still have a clear understanding of themselves? Anyway, this technology will change the way people interact with the world
Edit:Momo Responsible editor:Chen zhaozhao
Source:Economic Information Daily
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email:lwxsd@liaowanghn.com