Moral encroachment shapes public perceptions of neurotechnology: an empirical bioethics study

Nethanel Lipshitz – The Philosophy Department – Bar-Ilan University

Abstract: Advances in neurotechnology, such as neuromorphic devices where human neural tissue is combined with artificial intelligence systems, may help overcome barriers to conventional computing, create more sustainable information processing architectures, and more accurately model human brain disorders. But these sentient-like systems also raise ethical concerns. Bioethicists argue that if ‘biocomputers’ become conscious, they have moral status, or at least moral patiency, which places limits on research. Previous studies conflict on whether public perspectives align with the moral intuitions that underlie these views. We conducted an experimental bioethics study to examine public attitudes to biocomputers being used for different applications and in possession of distinct cognitive capacities. We report several key findings. First, respondents tend to attribute moral status to biocomputers, if they are perceived as conscious, which aligns with conventional bioethics. Yet, consciousness attributions were positively correlated with overall support for research. Finally, non-moral, factual beliefs about the capacities of biocomputers were influenced by the moral salience of specific applications. We propose that the concept of ‘moral encroachment’ provides an explanatory theory for these results, whereby individuals use moral beliefs/commitments to guide formation of factual, non-beliefs that might otherwise limit research that could be viewed as morally consequential. Our interpretation is counter-intuitive to conventional bioethics rationale and motivations that drive public public engagement efforts; namely, science communication aimed at providing factual information for use in formulating ethical and moral attitudes, policies, and normative recommendations. Our findings provide key insights into factors shaping moral and factual beliefs about emerging biotechnologies.

Keywords: moral encroachment theory, moral status, neurotechnology