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The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare
Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth. 2025. The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132634
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613774795505664 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth |
| author2 | Palk, Andrea C. |
| author_browse | Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth Palk, Andrea C. |
| author_facet | Palk, Andrea C. Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth |
| author_sort | Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth. 2025. The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132634 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132634 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:41:29.531Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132634 The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth Palk, Andrea C. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Philosophy. Applied Ethics. Brain-computer interfaces Neurotechnology (Bioengineering) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Medical ethics Medical technology -- Moral and ethical aspects UCTD Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth. 2025. The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132634 Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Neurotechnologies have advanced significantly in recent years. This can be attributed to progress made in the wider field of neuroscience, coupled with developments in artificial intelligence. In particular, improvements in neuroimaging systems, neurostimulation, and brain-computer interfaces have resulted in new ways of enhancing, controlling, and interpreting brain activity. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are the broad term that define a series of modern technologies designed to establish communication between the Central Nervous System’s activity and external devices. This system can do anything from simple capture and display of electrical brain activity to impacting cognitive functions. In terms of possible uses, BCIs have been proposed as assistive devices for those who cannot communicate or are paralyzed due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal cord injury. Over and above their use for treatment or restoration of function, BCIs could also be used for enhancement of existing capacities or functions, or for entertainment purposes. There are already companies promoting their BCI devices for gaming, amongst other uses. This way of accessing and modifying neural systems and mental states of people offers significant opportunities and benefits as well as posing potentially serious ethical concerns. Specifically, BCIs raise concerns about privacy and autonomy, identity and related individual rights, all which merit further examination and discussion. In this thesis, I discuss the broader ethical implications of BCIs in healthcare. In order to assess the ethical implications of these technologies, I begin with an overview of BCIs, including the various types of BCI, their operational differences and historical development. This is followed by a consideration of the uses of BCIs in healthcare along with the associated risks these technologies pose. The study then considers the distinction between enhancement and therapy, by means of Boorse’s biostatistical model, and some of the ethical challenges this distinction raises. Some of the ethical considerations associated with BCIs are then discussed, including concerns about autonomy, privacy, equity and security. This is followed by a consideration of the gaps in governance and regulatory frameworks as well as recommendations on how bioethical principles can be incorporated into these frameworks. The main conclusion is that while there are many ethical challenges that must be addressed if BCIs are to be successfully incorporated into healthcare, their potential to provide a substantial quality of life improvement for some users is such that this incorporation is likely to be inevitable. This underscores the general need for ongoing interdisciplinary research and dialogue to inform future innovation so that BCIs are developed and incorporated in accordance with appropriate ethical principles thereby securing human dignity. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2025-06-12T07:15:23Z 2025-06-12T07:15:23Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132634 en Stellenbosch University 73 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Brain-computer interfaces Neurotechnology (Bioengineering) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Medical ethics Medical technology -- Moral and ethical aspects UCTD Masitise, Mots’abi Elizabeth The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare |
| title | The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare |
| title_full | The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare |
| title_fullStr | The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare |
| title_full_unstemmed | The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare |
| title_short | The ethical challenges of brain-computer interfaces in healthcare |
| title_sort | ethical challenges of brain computer interfaces in healthcare |
| topic | Brain-computer interfaces Neurotechnology (Bioengineering) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Medical ethics Medical technology -- Moral and ethical aspects UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132634 |
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