Page - 148 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics

148 • Cyborg Mind understand the various ways in which this occurs. The mind does not recall past experiences simply on an objective basis, but constructs interpretive memories to make these events meaningful as they are associated with other relevant and similar experiences. Thus, as the benefits of neuronal implants are considered, it is impor- tant to be clear about the potential effects on identity-formation.198 This is because neuronal interfaces and virtual reality technologies may have a powerful influence on storytelling tools, while enabling an improved level of control over memory formation which are both crucial parts in forming identity.199 As such, if individual memories that are relevant to a person’s self- recognition are removed, altered, added to or replaced, this will have a cru- cial impact on his or her identity.200 This is an important factor when brain interventions may cause unintended alterations in the mental function of persons. Indeed, this may have an effect on the psychological continuity of the individuals and the way in which they experience themselves as persisting through time as the same persons.201 The bioethicists Marcello Ienca at the University of Basel and Roberto Andorno at the University of Zurich in Switzerland have thus suggested that a right to psychological continuity exists that should protect personal identity from unconscious and unconsented alteration by third parties through the use of invasive or noninvasive neurotechnology.202 But neuronal implants could also impact on identity in other ways. Even if prosthetic cortical implants were originally developed to restore aspects of sight to visually impaired individuals, they could eventually enable them to also access information directly from a computer. As a result, if they can only ‘see’ through a computer, this may have unforeseen and even disturbing consequences on the manner in which they perceive their identity and sense of self.203 Another way in which implants could have an effect on identity is the already mentioned Human Brain Project, supported by the European Union, which aims to bridge the boundary between a human and virtual or robotic surrogate bodies. Interestingly, this is very similar to what was represented in the 2009 American science-fiction film, Surrogates, directed by the American Jonathan Mostow. This was based on the 2005–6 comic book series of the same name in which human persons live out their lives, in the comfort of their own homes, by embodying humanoid remote-controlled robots. Yet, in the future, it may also be possible for an existing human person to live his or her life through the lives of other human beings if they all use neu- ronal interfaces. In this way, an individual may be able to experience all the sensory, emotional and cerebral experiences of other individuals of both sexes in a very real and ‘direct’ manner. A person could thus plug himself or herself 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.