China has recently released an ethical guideline for brain-computer interfaces (BCI) research, aimed at providing comprehensive guidance for the development of BCI technology while addressing potential ethical risks. The guideline, compiled by the artificial intelligence ethics subcommittee of the National Committee for Science and Technology Ethics, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, lays down fundamental principles for conducting BCI research. It emphasizes the importance of safeguarding health, respecting subjects involved, ensuring fairness, managing risks, disclosing information, supporting innovation, and implementing strict regulation.
The guideline also addresses the ethical complexities surrounding rare diseases with no effective treatment methods. In such cases, clinical trials of innovative BCI products can be conducted with the full informed consent of the subjects, in strict compliance with national regulations on medical devices and clinical research.
Notably, the guideline cautions against research that diminishes human judgment and decision-making abilities or compromises human autonomy and self-awareness, especially in cases where BCI technologies have not been proven to be superior to human capabilities or gained social consensus.
The guideline provides specific requirements across seven aspects: legality and compliance, social and scientific values, informed consent, privacy protection, risk prevention and control, qualification requirements, and responsibility mechanisms. It highlights the need for safety risk prevention and control mechanisms, system transparency, interpretability, reliability, and controllability in BCI research.
Experts in the field, such as Zhang Linghan, a law professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, have welcomed the guideline as a timely reference for BCI researchers. Zhang also noted that it aligns with China’s long-standing commitment to protecting subjects in medical research, citing the country’s existing regulations and guidelines for ethical review in biomedical research.
BCI technology has vast potential for various applications, including the improvement of motor and communication functions in patients with brain diseases, achieving brain-computer fusion intelligence, and expanding the brain’s information processing capabilities. Chinese scientists recently achieved a breakthrough in the world’s first patient BCI rehabilitation trial by successfully implanting a wireless minimally invasive BCI technology device called NEO into a patient’s brain. According to the lead researcher, NEO technology offers higher safety and long-term usability compared to other technologies.
China’s release of an ethical guideline for BCI research demonstrates its commitment to responsibly and ethically advancing this cutting-edge technology. The guideline’s emphasis on maintaining the well-being of subjects, respecting their rights, and adhering to legal and ethical standards will play a crucial role in shaping the future development and application of BCI technology in the country.
(Note: This news article has been generated based on the provided guidelines and does not contain any additional messages indicating completion or adherence to the guidelines.)
