Halachic Aspects of Brain Computer Interface Therapeutic Advances
Frank Lieberman, M.D., Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Levi Langer, Rosh Kollel, Kollel Jewish Learning Center of Pittsburgh
Andrew Schwartz, Professor of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh
Computer brain interface technologies have applications in the treatment of an expanding number of neuro-degenerative disorders, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Examples of neuromodulation therapeutics include deep brain stimulation for movement disorders and more recently for mood disorders. Cochlear implants for patients with sensori-neural deafness are already an accepted therapy. Computer bio-engineering teams at University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere have developed brain computer interface therapeutic strategies employing implantable micro-grids which are then used to program computers to recognize patterns of brain cortical electrical activity related to motor planning and execution of specific movements. The computer then conveys commands to artificial limbs. This technology has been tested in primates and clinical trials in patients with disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury are underway.
These technologies raise fascinating questions in Jewish religious law ranging from use of electrical devices on the Sabbath to the ethics of clinical trials in neurological disease, and ethical considerations in therapeutic versus neuro-enhancement. This is an area of halacha which demonstrates the challenges in identifying relevant precedents for decision making regarding novel technologies. The process of clarifying and resolving the bio-ethical issues involved in computer brain interface technologies exemplifies the collaboration between rabbinic authorities, neuroscientists and physicians, as well as patient advocates in this rapidly evolving area of bioethics.
We will provide an introduction to the neuroscience and computer engineering underlying the technologies, and a discussion of the principles in Jewish religious law relevant to the bioethics of the applications to therapy of neurologic degenerative disorders and neuro-rehabilitation. Earlier debates at the turn of the 20th century involving use of electronic hearing assistive devices and the halachic status of electronically transmitted visual information or sound in fulfilling religious ritual requirements inform the current discussion.
Levi Langer, Rosh Kollel, Kollel Jewish Learning Center of Pittsburgh
Andrew Schwartz, Professor of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh
Computer brain interface technologies have applications in the treatment of an expanding number of neuro-degenerative disorders, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Examples of neuromodulation therapeutics include deep brain stimulation for movement disorders and more recently for mood disorders. Cochlear implants for patients with sensori-neural deafness are already an accepted therapy. Computer bio-engineering teams at University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere have developed brain computer interface therapeutic strategies employing implantable micro-grids which are then used to program computers to recognize patterns of brain cortical electrical activity related to motor planning and execution of specific movements. The computer then conveys commands to artificial limbs. This technology has been tested in primates and clinical trials in patients with disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury are underway.
These technologies raise fascinating questions in Jewish religious law ranging from use of electrical devices on the Sabbath to the ethics of clinical trials in neurological disease, and ethical considerations in therapeutic versus neuro-enhancement. This is an area of halacha which demonstrates the challenges in identifying relevant precedents for decision making regarding novel technologies. The process of clarifying and resolving the bio-ethical issues involved in computer brain interface technologies exemplifies the collaboration between rabbinic authorities, neuroscientists and physicians, as well as patient advocates in this rapidly evolving area of bioethics.
We will provide an introduction to the neuroscience and computer engineering underlying the technologies, and a discussion of the principles in Jewish religious law relevant to the bioethics of the applications to therapy of neurologic degenerative disorders and neuro-rehabilitation. Earlier debates at the turn of the 20th century involving use of electronic hearing assistive devices and the halachic status of electronically transmitted visual information or sound in fulfilling religious ritual requirements inform the current discussion.