Neurorights Adoption.

 

There is no "UN Neurorights treaty" yet, but there is a growing international push for one due to advancements in neurotechnology. Proponents advocate for a framework of "neurorights" to protect human dignity and autonomy, focusing on areas like mental privacy, cognitive liberty, and equal access to neuro-enhancements. This movement has led to actions like the 2022 UN Human Rights Council resolution on neurotechnologies and a 2021 constitutional amendment in Chile, but a specific UN treaty has not been finalized.

Key concepts and calls to action

What are neurorights? 

They are a proposed set of rights to protect the mind and brain from potential misuse of neurotechnologies that can access, monitor, or alter neural processes.

Advocacy: The movement is driven by the need to safeguard against the potential threats posed by neurotechnologies and to ensure their ethical development and use.

Proposed neurorights: Some commonly discussed rights include:

Mental privacy: Protection of neural data from unauthorized access.
Personal identity: Safeguarding the integrity of an individual's sense of self.
Free will: Ensuring individuals remain in control of their thoughts and decisions without manipulation.
Non-discrimination/Equal access: Preventing bias and ensuring equitable access to neurotechnologies and their benefits.

UN action: The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on neurotechnologies and human rights in 2022, which provides a foundation for further discussions.

National action: Chile took a major step in 2021 by becoming the first country to include neurorights in its constitution, a move influenced by early advocacy from figures like Dr. Rafael Yuste.

Ongoing debate: While the need for safeguards is widely recognized, there is an ongoing debate about the best approach, with some scholars suggesting that existing human rights laws can be interpreted and adapted, rather than creating entirely new rights.