Seite - 4 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics

4 • Cyborg Mind Brandon indicates: ‘Technology always brings some value to the user and power over those who do not possess it.’4 Further questions can then be asked about what a human body or mind represents. As already mentioned, in the past a computer was generally some- thing that was quite distinct from the human body that was relatively easy to define in both philosophy and law. With the development of direct inter- faces between human bodies and computers, including devices that can be implanted inside the human brain, this will change. But what would this then mean for the person? Would the manner in which technology is applied to the body of an individual influence the way in which society considers this human being? Some new interfaces, for instance, may enable human minds to escape the limitations of their human brains by combining with human computers to become cyborg-like fusions of machines and organisms.5 The English biolo- gist and science fiction writer Brian Stableford states: The potential is clearly there for a dramatic increase in the intimacy with which future generations of people can relate to machines. Machines in the future may well be able to become extensions of man in a much more literal sense than they ever have in the past. Working systems directed to particular tasks will one day be constructed that are part flesh and part machine, and the two will blend together where they interface.6 But would this then be good, bad, inevitable or to be avoided at all costs? How would such direct neuronal interfaces impact upon business, security, education, freedom and liberty of choice? Would, for example, new legisla- tion need to be drafted and enacted? It is because of all these questions as well as the possible ethical, philo- sophical and social challenges resulting from neuronal interfaces that this introductory book on human cyberneuroethics7 was written in order to pres- ent some of the ethical challenges while providing a basis for reflection con- cerning a possible way forward. Indeed, an engagement with the profound implications of direct interfaces between the human neuronal system and the computer, as well as between the human mind and cyberspace, has become crucial. This is especially the case if society wants to engage with the future of humanity in a responsible, considered and effective manner. Unfortunately, it is all but impossible to completely foresee the different developments of a technology and be in possession of all the relevant infor- mation. Moreover, one of the real difficulties of examining the ethical con- sequences arising from new biotechnologies is that they often develop very quickly. As a result, ethical considerations may lag far behind current tech- nological procedures. This is the reason why any ethical discussion related to neuronal interfaces will be a dynamic and evolving endeavour making the This open access edition has been made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license thanks to the support of Knowledge Unlatched. Not for resale.