Existing Neuroethical Frameworks and Guidance
OECD Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology
The OECD Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology, adopted in December 2019, is the first international standard addressing ethical, legal, and social challenges associated with emerging neurotechnologies. It provides guidance for governments and innovators to navigate these challenges while promoting innovation in the field. The recommendation encompasses nine principles focusing on responsible innovation, safety assessment, inclusivity, scientific collaboration, societal deliberation, oversight capacity, data protection, cultural stewardship, and anticipation of unintended use. The framework aims to guide various stages of the innovation process, emphasizing high-level values, institutional capacity building, and societal engagement. It addresses the growing importance of mental health and the significant potential of neurotechnology to improve well-being. The OECD's five-year project involved international collaboration, consultation with stakeholders, and the development of principles through workshops and expert input. The ongoing implementation includes the creation of practical tools, best practice examples, and lessons learned to support adherence to the recommendation.
NIH BRAIN Initiative Alliance Guiding Principles
The NIH BRAIN Initiative is a collaborative effort aimed at advancing scientific understanding of the human brain through groundbreaking studies and technological innovations in neuroscience. Recognizing the unique ethical considerations involved in studying the complex human brain, the initiative established a Neuroethics Working Group comprised of experts in neuroscience, medicine, bioethics, philosophy, and law. The NIH BRAIN Initiative's Neuroethics Working Group developed Neuroethics Guiding Principles, published in December 2018, to address ethical considerations in BRAIN-funded research. These principles emphasize safety, anticipate issues related to capacity and autonomy, protect privacy, consider potential misuses of neuroscience tools, exercise caution in medical and non-medical applications, address public concerns, promote public education and dialogue, and ensure just behavior and shared benefits.
UNESCO - Report of the International Bioethics Committee on the Ethical Issues of Neurotechnology
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report on the ethical issues of neurotechnology provides a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between neuroscientific advancements and ethical considerations, legal implications, and governance strategies. It begins with an overview of existing neurotechnologies, including neuroimaging, neurodevices, brain-computer interfaces, and the role of artificial intelligence in neuroscience. The report delves into the ethical dimensions of neurotechnology, addressing principles such as cerebral/mental integrity, personal identity, autonomy, mental privacy, and considerations of accessibility and social justice. It examines the purpose of enhancement in neurotechnology, explores its implications in clinical and research ethics, and discusses the legal dilemmas surrounding consent, privacy, and human rights, specifically the right to freedom of thought. The report also emphasizes the importance of responsible innovation and effective governance in navigating the ethical challenges posed by neurotechnological advancements, advocating for public engagement, industry collaboration, and public-private partnerships. The recommendations provide guidance for balancing technological progress with ethical, legal, and societal considerations in the evolving landscape of neurotechnology. Read the full report below.
IEEE Neuroethics Framework
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) aims to assist the neuroengineering community by creating a comprehensive approach to assess the ethical, legal, social, and cultural aspects associated with neurotechnologies. The framework seeks to define neurotechnologies, highlight their implications throughout various stages (research, development, clinical application, evaluation, adoption, and usage), and engage all stakeholders, including researchers, developers, regulators, ethics committees, clinicians, and users, in discussions regarding these issues. The IEEE Brain is actively working on documentation that complements the framework, providing examples of existing neurotechnologies and examining the associated ethical, legal, social, and cultural considerations within specific contexts.
Institute of Neuroethics
The Institute of Neuroethics is a global think & do tank dedicated to neuroethics, with the goal of working towards a future of responsible neuroscience in society. IoNx has compiled a gloabl repository of recommendations from the broader neuroscience community.
BrainMind’s Neuroethics Initiative
BrainMind aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the ethical considerations within the rapidly evolving field of neurotechnology. The initiative emphasizes private sector engagement, acknowledging the significant impact of commercialization on individual lives and societies, and leverages its influential community to foster discussions and decisions at the forefront of brain science and technology. In February 2020, a pivotal advisory meeting in Durham, NC, chaired by Dr. Steven Hyman and co-hosted with Dr. Nita Farahany, laid the groundwork for a national advisory committee. In 2022, BrainMind, in collaboration with the OECD, gathered 30 interdisciplinary leaders in Paris to discuss and implement neuroethics frameworks across academia, entrepreneurship, public policy, and investing, building on the OECD Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology. These advisory meetings informed the implementation of neuroethics soft law, highlighting specific roles and activities, and contributed to shaping the agenda for BrainMind’s larger interdisciplinary neuroethics summit at the Asilomar California Conference Grounds, to be held in 2026.
