Ethical Issues to Consider Before Introducing Neurotechnological Thought Apprehension in Psychiatry

Abstract

When it becomes available, neuroscience-based apprehension of subjective thoughts is bound to have a profound impact on several areas of society. One of these areas is medicine. In principle, medical specialties that are primarily concerned with mind and brain are most likely to apply neurotechnological thought apprehension (NTA) techniques. Psychiatry is such a specialty, and the relevance of NTA developments for psychiatry has been recognized. In this article, I discuss ethical issues regarding the use of NTA techniques in psychiatric contexts. First, I consider the notion of neurotechnological "thought apprehension," as well as some limitations of present-day NTA applications. Next, I identify ethical priorities for its possible future use in psychiatry. The topics I explore concern key (bio)ethical issues: confidentiality, trust and distrust, consent and coercion, and, finally, responsibility. I conclude that mental health-related use of NTA entails some specific ethical concerns that deserve careful attention before introducing these technologies in psychiatric practice.

Neuroprediction and A.I. in Forensic Psychiatry and Criminal Justice: A Neurolaw Perspective

“…A fourth, and related, issue concerns consent and coercion; if and when these techniques will be fully developed and are ready to be used, there may be a possibility of performing cognitive liberty violations forcing people to undergo scans without consent for sentencing or punitive purposes (Ligthart, 2019;Meynen, 2019). Coercion, both technical and ethical or legal, not only relates to the force used, because not all the imaging techniques allow for this, but also to their use within the context of a threat or an offer that cannot be refused (Meynen, 2017).…”

More Harm Than Good: Neurotechnological Thought Apprehension in Forensic Psychiatry

“…Recognizing such limitations, we argue, is critical to ensuring the ethical application of this technology. Meynen acknowledges this somewhat, suggesting that the criterion for using NTA in psychiatry should be "its added value compared to other techniques" (Meynen 2019). While he does not define such added value, one might assume that there is "added value" in NTA insofar as its use exceeds a minimum threshold of potential benefit and its costs do not surpass this benefit.…”

“…A second barrier to the application of NTA in a forensic context is the central role of intention in such technologies. The examples of NTA discussed by Meynen rely heavily on the intentions of participants involved (e.g., intentionally imagining playing tennis) (Meynen 2019). If such intentions are not engaged, it isn't clear that NTA could be performed on an unwilling subject.…”

“…In his article on the ethical issues related to neurotechnological thought apprehension (NTA) in psychiatry, Meynen (2019) highlights relevant concerns and provides a helpful framework to assess the use of such techniques. However, it is important to add a conceptual clarification that has significant consequences on the application of the NTA and on the permissibility of its use.…”

How Do We Conduct Fruitful Ethical Analysis of Speculative Neurotechnologies?

“…Lucie White , Leibniz Universit€ at Hannover Gerben Meynen (2019) invites us to consider the potential ethical implications of what he refers to as "thought apprehension" technology for psychiatric practice, that is, technologies that involve recording brain activity, and using this to infer what people are thinking (or intending, desiring, feeling, etc.). His article is wide-ranging, covering several different ethical principles, various situations psychiatrists might encounter in therapeutic, legal, and correctional contexts, and a range of potential incarnations of this technology, some more speculative than others.…”