Work

The right to mental integrity in the age of neurotechnology: constructing scope and exploring permissible limitations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: One way to ensure adequate legal protection against existing and emerging forms of mental interference is by specifying the human right to mental integrity. This paper considers three possible constructions of the scope of this right in human rights law. It argues that the Mental Control View and the Direct Harmful Interference View fall short of providing a persuasive definition of the right. Rather, it is proposed to construct the scope of the right along the lines of the Significant Mental Interference View. Meanwhile, the directness of a mental interference and the psychological harm it entails are plausibly relevant factors to the potential justification of rights infringements.

Source: Journal of Law and the Biosciences

DOI: 10.1093/jlb/lsaf010

Author: Sjors Ligthart

Institutions: Utrecht University, Tilburg University

Language: English

Topic: Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek