In this intriguing interview, Dr. Lilyana Levy, a renowned bioethicist and postdoctoral scholar at UCLA, delves into the historical development and ethical quandaries surrounding brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for artificial vision. She scrutinises the evolution of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and visual cortical prostheses, shedding light on their potential applications and ethical pitfalls. Dr. Levy navigates through the intricacies of distributive justice, user-centred design, and the blurred line between assistive and enhancive technologies, urging a critical examination of our assumptions and design methodologies.
Key Concepts:
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS):
- History and applications, including non-traditional uses for psychiatric disorders.
- Theoretical framework focusing on emotional brain regions for pain reduction.
- Visual Cortical Prostheses:
- Historical timeline from 1929 to present-day advancements.
- Challenges in achieving complex image reproduction, emphasizing tactile stimulation patterns.
- Ethical Concerns:
- Distributive justice issues in research focus and resource allocation.
- Potential enhancement of vision beyond therapeutic necessity.
- Assistive vs. Enhancive Technology:
- Distinction between restorative and assistive technologies.
- The role of design elements in determining assistive nature and ethical implications.
- Philosophical Perspective and User-Centred Design:
- Advocacy for a phenomenological approach in research.
- Importance of participant involvement in design and ethical decision-making.
- Ethical implications of user-centred design for practical use and recommendations.
Considering the ethical complexities surrounding artificial vision technology, how might a more inclusive and participatory design approach enhance not only functionality but also the ethical integrity of these neurotechnologies?
