Project: Intelligent Neuro-Technologies Restoring Functions of Action and Communication: an Evaluation Study

Acronym	INTERFACES
Duration	01/05/2016 - 30/04/2019
Project Topic	“INTERFACES” is an international research project on ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) of brain-computer interfaces (BCI). This neuro-technology has recently made groundbreaking progress and is about to enter real-world application in motor & communication assistance, neuropsychiatric treatment and neuro-enhancement. The project aims to (1) investigate the neglected perspectives of patients, their families, health care professionals, and the public, (2) evaluate the fundamental conceptual, ethical and legal questions associated with BCI applications and (3) utilize the resulting insights to offer orientation for medicine and society, thus following a translational research approach. Interview studies with neurological patients and their families who have experience with BCI studies, an international survey of health care professionals and an experimental vignette study of citizens on the public’s moral intuitions will serve to collect needed empirical data. These will feed into an ethico-legal analysis on agency, autonomy and responsibility, which will be supported by an expert group deliberation. In a final knowledge translation phase, the research results serve to construct video and audio podcasts informing the public about ELSA of BCI and to write a policy brief for decision-makers in society.
Network	ERA-NET NEURON II
Call	Ethical, Legal, and Social Aspects (ELSA) of Neuroscience

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	Coordinator	Germany
2	University of Hamburg	Partner	Germany
3	Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal	Partner	Canada
4	Universidad de Granada	Partner	Spain