Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2017 Nov 14;14(1):115
Date
11/16/2017Pubmed ID
29137639Pubmed Central ID
PMC5686808DOI
10.1186/s12984-017-0325-zScopus ID
2-s2.0-85034111924 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 23 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Rapid advancements in rehabilitation science and the widespread application of engineering techniques are opening the prospect of a new phase of clinical and commercial maturity for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies (NARTs). As the field enters this new phase, there is an urgent need to address and anticipate the ethical implications associated with novel technological opportunities, clinical solutions, and social applications.
MAIN IDEA: In this paper we review possible approaches to the ethics of NART, and propose a framework for ethical design and development, which we call the Proactive Ethical Design (PED) framework.
CONCLUSION: A viable ethical framework for neuroengineering, assistive and rehabilitation technology should be characterized by the convergence of user-centered and value-sensitive approaches to product design through a proactive mode of ethical evaluation. We propose four basic normative requirements for the realization of this framework: minimization of power imbalances, compliance with biomedical ethics, translationality and social awareness. The aims and values of the CYBATHLON competition provide an operative model of this ethical framework and could drive an ethical shift in neuroengineering and rehabilitation.
Author List
Ienca M, Kressig RW, Jotterand F, Elger BAuthor
Fabrice Jotterand PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
HumansRehabilitation
Self-Help Devices
