Towards new human rights in the age of neuroscience and neurotechnology

Abstract Rapid advancements in human neuroscience and neurotechnology open unprecedented possibilities for accessing, collecting, sharing and manipulating information from the human brain. Such applications raise important challenges to human rights principles that need to be addressed to prevent un...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marcello Ienca, Roberto Andorno
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2017-04-01
Series:Life Sciences, Society and Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40504-017-0050-1
Description
Summary:Abstract Rapid advancements in human neuroscience and neurotechnology open unprecedented possibilities for accessing, collecting, sharing and manipulating information from the human brain. Such applications raise important challenges to human rights principles that need to be addressed to prevent unintended consequences. This paper assesses the implications of emerging neurotechnology applications in the context of the human rights framework and suggests that existing human rights may not be sufficient to respond to these emerging issues. After analysing the relationship between neuroscience and human rights, we identify four new rights that may become of great relevance in the coming decades: the right to cognitive liberty, the right to mental privacy, the right to mental integrity, and the right to psychological continuity.
ISSN:2195-7819