Ebook: Human ICT Implants: Technical, Legal and Ethical Considerations

Human information and communication technology (ICT) implants have developed for many years in a medical context. Such applications have become increasingly advanced, in some cases modifying fundamental brain function. Today, comparatively low-tech implants are being increasingly employed in non-therapeutic contexts, with applications ranging from the use of ICT implants for VIP entry into nightclubs, automated payments for goods, access to secure facilities and for those with a high risk of being kidnapped. Commercialisation and growing potential of human ICT implants have generated debate over the ethical, legal and social aspects of the technology, its products and application. Despite stakeholders calling for greater policy and legal certainty within this area, gaps have already begun to emerge between the commercial reality of human ICT implants and the current legal frameworks designed to regulate these products. This book focuses on the latest technological developments and on the legal, social and ethical implications of the use and further application of these technologies.

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With a Foreword by Professor Rafael Capurro, International Centre for Information Ethics (ICIE); Distinguished Researcher in Information Ethics, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA

Considered by many to be science fiction, information and communication technology (ICT) has been implanted into the human body for years. Medical human ICT implants such as cochlear implants are in common use, forming intimate links between technology and body. Such restorative devices are increasingly advanced, with some directly interacting with the brain and others near outperforming their natural counterpart.

Recently, low-tech human ICT implants have been increasingly employed in non-therapeutic contexts. Applications include VIP nightclub entry, automated payments and controlling secure access. With self-experimenters pushing boundaries and medical technology drift to non-medical application, this is clearly just the beginning. Opportunities for human enhancement through ICT implants have become very real.

Despite stakeholders calling for greater legal certainty, gaps have already emerged between the commercial reality of human ICT implants and the legal frameworks used to regulate them. It is not surprising that increasing commercialisation and growing potential has generated debate over the ethical, legal and social aspects of the technology, its products and application. And its trajectory.

The contributors to this book, all leaders in their respective fields, not only focus on the latest technological developments, but also the legal, social and ethical implications of the use and further application of these technologies.

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With a Foreword by Professor Rafael Capurro, International Centre for Information Ethics (ICIE); Distinguished Researcher in Information Ethics, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA

Considered by many to be science fiction, information and communication technology (ICT) has been implanted into the human body for years. Medical human ICT implants such as cochlear implants are in common use, forming intimate links between technology and body. Such restorative devices are increasingly advanced, with some directly interacting with the brain and others near outperforming their natural counterpart.

Recently, low-tech human ICT implants have been increasingly employed in non-therapeutic contexts. Applications include VIP nightclub entry, automated payments and controlling secure access. With self-experimenters pushing boundaries and medical technology drift to non-medical application, this is clearly just the beginning. Opportunities for human enhancement through ICT implants have become very real.

Despite stakeholders calling for greater legal certainty, gaps have already emerged between the commercial reality of human ICT implants and the legal frameworks used to regulate them. It is not surprising that increasing commercialisation and growing potential has generated debate over the ethical, legal and social aspects of the technology, its products and application. And its trajectory.

The contributors to this book, all leaders in their respective fields, not only focus on the latest technological developments, but also the legal, social and ethical implications of the use and further application of these technologies.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxii
Human ICT Implants: From Invasive to Pervasive....Pages 1-8
Front Matter....Pages 9-9
Human ICT Implants: From Restorative Application to Human Enhancement....Pages 11-28
Potential Application Areas for RFID Implants....Pages 29-39
Restoring Function: Application Exemplars of Medical ICT Implants....Pages 41-51
Front Matter....Pages 53-53
Passive Human ICT Implants: Risks and Possible Solutions....Pages 55-62
Implantable Medical Devices: Privacy and Security Concerns....Pages 63-66
Front Matter....Pages 67-67
Carrying Implants and Carrying Risks; Human ICT Implants and Liability....Pages 69-79
Implants and Human Rights, in Particular Bodily Integrity....Pages 81-96
Implanting Implications: Data Protection Challenges Arising from the Use of Human ICT Implants....Pages 97-112
Cheating with Implants: Implications of the Hidden Information Advantage of Bionic Ears and Eyes....Pages 113-134
Ethical Implications of ICT Implants....Pages 135-158
Pieces of Me: On Identity and Information and Communications Technology Implants....Pages 159-173
The Societal Reality of That Which Was Once Science Fiction....Pages 175-179
Back Matter....Pages 181-184

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With a Foreword by Professor Rafael Capurro, International Centre for Information Ethics (ICIE); Distinguished Researcher in Information Ethics, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA

Considered by many to be science fiction, information and communication technology (ICT) has been implanted into the human body for years. Medical human ICT implants such as cochlear implants are in common use, forming intimate links between technology and body. Such restorative devices are increasingly advanced, with some directly interacting with the brain and others near outperforming their natural counterpart.

Recently, low-tech human ICT implants have been increasingly employed in non-therapeutic contexts. Applications include VIP nightclub entry, automated payments and controlling secure access. With self-experimenters pushing boundaries and medical technology drift to non-medical application, this is clearly just the beginning. Opportunities for human enhancement through ICT implants have become very real.

Despite stakeholders calling for greater legal certainty, gaps have already emerged between the commercial reality of human ICT implants and the legal frameworks used to regulate them. It is not surprising that increasing commercialisation and growing potential has generated debate over the ethical, legal and social aspects of the technology, its products and application. And its trajectory.

The contributors to this book, all leaders in their respective fields, not only focus on the latest technological developments, but also the legal, social and ethical implications of the use and further application of these technologies.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxii
Human ICT Implants: From Invasive to Pervasive....Pages 1-8
Front Matter....Pages 9-9
Human ICT Implants: From Restorative Application to Human Enhancement....Pages 11-28
Potential Application Areas for RFID Implants....Pages 29-39
Restoring Function: Application Exemplars of Medical ICT Implants....Pages 41-51
Front Matter....Pages 53-53
Passive Human ICT Implants: Risks and Possible Solutions....Pages 55-62
Implantable Medical Devices: Privacy and Security Concerns....Pages 63-66
Front Matter....Pages 67-67
Carrying Implants and Carrying Risks; Human ICT Implants and Liability....Pages 69-79
Implants and Human Rights, in Particular Bodily Integrity....Pages 81-96
Implanting Implications: Data Protection Challenges Arising from the Use of Human ICT Implants....Pages 97-112
Cheating with Implants: Implications of the Hidden Information Advantage of Bionic Ears and Eyes....Pages 113-134
Ethical Implications of ICT Implants....Pages 135-158
Pieces of Me: On Identity and Information and Communications Technology Implants....Pages 159-173
The Societal Reality of That Which Was Once Science Fiction....Pages 175-179
Back Matter....Pages 181-184
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