Do Predictive Brain Implants Threaten Patient Autonomy or Authenticity?

Authors

Eldar Sarajlic, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 11-4-2015

Abstract

In this commentary, I discuss this Frederic Gilbert's claim that predictive brain implants (PBIs) threaten persons’ autonomy by diminishing their postoperative experience of self-control. Contrary to Gilbert, I suggest that PBIs do not pose a significant threat to patient’s autonomy, as self-control, but rather to his or her sense of authenticity. My claim is that the language of authenticity, already introduced in the recent bioethical literature, may offer a better way to voice some of the concerns with PBIs that Gilbert recognized.

Comments

This work was originally published in AJOB Neuroscience.