Page - 5 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics

Introduction • 5 preparation and drafting of regulations (such as the ones proposed in the Appendix) a continuous process with numerous re-evaluations. In this context, the book will begin by exploring the existing situation in terms of what is already possible while considering future prospects and whether they are likely to help or harm. For instance, at present, neuronal interface systems considered for therapeutic purposes are, generally, seen as acceptable from an ethical perspective. If it becomes possible to read the brain pattern of completely paralysed persons so that they can use a com- puter, this would enable them to address some of their limitations, and the advantages may well outweigh the risks. But when these therapeutic applications are transformed into possible enhancements, beyond what is considered to be normal, more ethical con- siderations about the proportionality between possible advantages and risks become necessary. In order to study such future contexts, it is sometimes helpful to inves- tigate the manner in which the technologies are already considered in soci- ety by examining, for instance, how the general public may understand or respond to popular fiction presenting the new developments. As such, fiction may be seen as a prophetic voice in this arena, asking the ‘what if’ questions through dystopian or utopian alternatives. In fact, connecting a person to a computer has often been a natural starting point for many science-fiction films and books, which can be useful in examining some of the possible con- sequences. But with new developments in technologies, more realistic fiction may now be required, since new possibilities have emerged. As the British engineer and neuronal interface pioneer Kevin Warwick explains: For many years science fiction has looked to a future in which robots are intel- ligent and cyborgs  – a human/machine merger  – are commonplace . . . Until recently however any serious consideration of what this might actually mean in the future real world was not necessary because it was really all science fiction and not scientific reality. Now however science has not only done a catching- up exercise but, in bringing about some of the ideas initially thrown up by science fiction, has introduced practicalities that the original storylines did not extend to (and in some cases still have not extended to).8 Cases of science fiction will thus be considered throughout the present study to examine some of the possible future challenges and advantages, while seek- ing to understand a number of the concerns that may already exist amongst the general public. But it is also necessary to be wary since such science fiction may become, at one and the same time, more interesting but less careful as to future pros- pects. While there is huge value in exploring the ‘not yet’, it is important to do so cautiously before imagining opportunities that technology is unlikely 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.