The Everyday Cyborg: Mapping Legal, Ethical, & Conceptual Challenges (360G-Wellcome-201675_Z_16_Z)

Everyday cyborgs are all around us. They are persons with replacements and augmentations ranging from the simple to the extraordinarily complex; for example, artificial joint replacements, implanted devices such as pacemakers and the total artificial heart, and limb prostheses. These parts and devices may be completely artificial, biological, or biohybrid in nature (a mixture of biological and synthetic components). Additionally, they may contain mechanical or electronic components and be capable of running software and storing data. This linking of the organic, biological person with synthetic, inorganic parts and devices raises questions which the law is ill-equipped to deal with. For instance, should internal medical devices which keep the person alive be viewed as part of the person or mere objects (or something else), is damage to neuro-prostheses (nervous system integrated) personal injury or damage to property, and is deactivation of the total artificial heart withdrawal of treatment or active euthanasia? Satisfactorily answering such questions requires a re-analysis of the conceptual and ethical terrain underpinning the law, as well as the law itself. This project will lay the groundwork for this by identifying, mapping, and beginning to explore the novel legal, ethical, and conceptual challenges posed by implantable and prosthetic technologies.