Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our new research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation', co-authored by Dr Erica Harper, Head of Research and Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy and Dr Allan McCay, Academic Fellow, Sydney Law School and Co-director, Sydney Institute of Criminology,  examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology. As the field grows, the paper addresses the increasing role of the private sector and the potential for neurotechnologies to be misused, raising important ethical and legal questions.

The paper discusses concerns related to privacy, freedom of thought, and the use of neurotechnology in both therapeutic and commercial contexts. It highlights the risks associated with the 'dual-use' nature of some innovations, where scientific and engineering developments that may lead to highly beneficial applications such as those providing forms of therapy might also facilitate more troubling use cases. The authors argue that these developments could impact fundamental human rights, particularly as companies are the primary players in the neurotechnology sector. In addition to addressing the need for regulatory frameworks, the paper calls for careful consideration of issues such as data privacy, consent, and the role of neuro-enhancement in society. It also discusses the implications of using neurotechnology in criminal justice, particularly regarding the use of brain data to infer mental states.

This research follows an event held in April 2024 at the University of Sydney, where experts from various fields discussed the future of neurotechnology. The paper's findings will contribute to ongoing discussions by the Human Rights Council’s Advisory Council, which is preparing a study on the human rights implications of neurotechnology.

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GHRP Diplomat Training News

Strengthening Diplomacy: GHRP Training Course Enhances Engagement with UN Human Rights

5 February 2025

The GHRP’s annual training equipped 19 diplomats with key insights into the UN Human Rights Council’s mechanisms and multilateral processes.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Asian workers working at technology production factory with industrial machines Training

Business and Human Rights

19-23 May 2025

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

surveillance image of people Project

Human Rights in a Digitalized World: Mapping Risk, Strengthening Regulation and Promoting the Development of International Human Rights Law

Started in August 2023

To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more