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Evidence needed to assist the Nuffield Council on Bioethics in our reassessment of neurotechnology use in healthcare
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) has opened a call for evidence, seeking expert insight and information on the ethical issues arising in research, development and use of neurotechnologies in UK healthcare.
More than a decade has passed since our 2013 report looking at the possible benefits and unintended consequences of intervening in the brain. We believe the time is now right to revisit this issue, explore how the neurotechnology landscape has changed, and whether the ethical framework we developed to guide the practices of those involved in development, regulation, use and promotion of novel neurotechnologies needs to be updated.
Our call for evidence publishes alongside a literature review we commissioned to scope the neurotechnologies in use today and analyse the policy, legal and regulatory developments since 2013. Together, we hope the evidence call and the review will provide us with the insights we need in the next stages of our work.
Natalie Michaux, NCOB Policy and Research Manager and neurotech project lead, said:
While our 2013 report remains a solid foundation for researchers and policymakers, we know this is an area of research and innovation that has developed substantially in ten years. This is why a review is needed to ensure ethical oversight is maintained and interests are protected in this dynamic and evolving space.
These technologies have a far reach and we hope to hear evidence and perspectives from a wide range of people, including individuals and organisations with professional, academic, research or lived experience of the issues identified in our call for evidence.
Submissions are open until 02 January 2025. We are keen to hear from a range of people involved in neurotechnology development and application including researchers across academia and industry, the third sector, those with lived experience and clinicians.
Any questions about this call for evidence, or submissions to it should be directed to Natalie via mindandbrain@nuffieldbioethics.org.
- Download the Call for Evidence (PDF)
- Download the Literature Review (PDF)
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