Lessons from CRISPR: Establishing an Ethical Framework for Emerging Neurological Devices

The avalanche of ongoing bioscience research has resulted in an unprecedented range of opportunities for the creation of new medical diagnostics and therapies. As the potential to develop treatments for the human body expands, the ability to control, modify, and interfere with abstract parts of an individual's self increases. While basic components of the self - such as the mind, consciousness, and personality - can presently only be altered by natural processes and diseases, current and emerging technologies that can cause changes in the self are in development. It is likely that as understanding of the brain and mind increases, scientists and engineers will be develop the ability to alter the mind and consciousness in profound new ways. Such a paradigm shift will be fraught with ethical concerns, and if those concerns are not handled in an appropriate manner, there is significant potential for harm. This potential for causing harm is not without precedent. Genome editing technology is an area of research which deals with an element of the fundamental self. In recent years, advancements in genome editing technology in the form of the CRISPR/Cas9 system have caused alarm and debate within scientific communities concerning the ethicalness of its use and application. Using lessons learned from the ways in which the CRISPR technology has been beneficially used, an ethical framework might be developed in order to guide the development of emerging neurotechnology. Early implementation of a framework such as the one herein proposed could guide research that is already being conducted. There is still time to influence the way that neurological device research is conducted, and it is duty of ethical scientists in this field to understand and correct these problems clearly and quickly so as to prevent harm. An ethical framework that is consistent with current ethical standards and understandings might be created by reviewing the history and development of CRISPR.