Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson
Abstract 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...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2017-11-01
|
| Series: | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-017-0325-z |
| _version_ | 1818525825991966720 |
|---|---|
| author | Marcello Ienca Reto W. Kressig Fabrice Jotterand Bernice Elger |
| author_facet | Marcello Ienca Reto W. Kressig Fabrice Jotterand Bernice Elger |
| author_sort | Marcello Ienca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T06:14:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-355ba666371b4197b2e32afcfa4d59c8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1743-0003 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T06:14:32Z |
| publishDate | 2017-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-355ba666371b4197b2e32afcfa4d59c82022-12-22T01:18:02ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032017-11-0114111110.1186/s12984-017-0325-zProactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon LessonMarcello Ienca0Reto W. Kressig1Fabrice Jotterand2Bernice Elger3Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of BaselUniversity Center for Medicine of Aging, Felix Platter HospitalInstitute for Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of BaselInstitute for Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of BaselAbstract 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.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-017-0325-zEthics of assistive technologyProactive ethical designUser-centeredValue sensitive designNeuroethicsCybathlon |
| spellingShingle | Marcello Ienca Reto W. Kressig Fabrice Jotterand Bernice Elger Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Ethics of assistive technology Proactive ethical design User-centered Value sensitive design Neuroethics Cybathlon |
| title | Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson |
| title_full | Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson |
| title_fullStr | Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson |
| title_full_unstemmed | Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson |
| title_short | Proactive Ethical Design for Neuroengineering, Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies: the Cybathlon Lesson |
| title_sort | proactive ethical design for neuroengineering assistive and rehabilitation technologies the cybathlon lesson |
| topic | Ethics of assistive technology Proactive ethical design User-centered Value sensitive design Neuroethics Cybathlon |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-017-0325-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marcelloienca proactiveethicaldesignforneuroengineeringassistiveandrehabilitationtechnologiesthecybathlonlesson AT retowkressig proactiveethicaldesignforneuroengineeringassistiveandrehabilitationtechnologiesthecybathlonlesson AT fabricejotterand proactiveethicaldesignforneuroengineeringassistiveandrehabilitationtechnologiesthecybathlonlesson AT berniceelger proactiveethicaldesignforneuroengineeringassistiveandrehabilitationtechnologiesthecybathlonlesson |