UNESCO’s recommendation for Neurotechnology Use

Why in news?

UNESCO issued the 1^st global normative framework on the ethics of neurotechnology on November 5 and enter into force on November 12.

• Neurotechnology – Refers to devices and procedures that access, assess, and act on neural systems, including the human brain.
• Applications – For treating neurological disorders, brain injuries, mental health, brain-computer interfaces for mobility and communication, for adaptive learning systems, neurofeedback, etc.

Key Recommendations

• It is designed to maintain a balance between innovation and human rights to protect the human brain and brain-related data from misuse.
• 3-pronged strategy -
  • Define neurotechnology and neuro-data scope.
  • Identify values and guide national integration (esp. in health, education).
  • Protect vulnerable groups (children, elderly).
• Focus areas – Human dignity, human rights, gender equality, social and global justice, and sustainable development, and
• Core Principles –
  • Beneficence, proportionality, no harm, autonomy, freedom of thought
  • Protection of neural data, non-discrimination, inclusivity, accountability, trustworthiness, transparency
  • Epistemic justice and intergenerational protection
• Prohibited Practices – Manipulative or deceptive use of neural/non-neural data in political campaigns, medical and commercial contexts.

Global measures

• Chile – 1^st country to protect “mental integrity” in its Constitution.
• California (2024) – Enacted law safeguarding brain data from misuse by neurotech firms.
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – In  2019 developed the 1^st international standards on ‘Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology Enterprises’ -
  • Focused on the “responsible development & use” of novel technologies via responsible technology transfer.
• UNESCO’s 2022 Bioethics Report – Called for a comprehensive governance framework for neurotechnology.

Reference

The Hindu | UNESCO recommendations for neurotechnology use