> If getting a brain implant were as cheap, easy, and safe as getting a tattoo, the ethical problem would be largely solved.
But how realistic is that?
Your brain is a vital organ. It's encased in a hard skull. There is very little margin for error.
It just doesn't strike me as the sort of procedure that could ever be made as cheap, easy, and safe as getting a tattoo -- at least not in our lifetime.
I intentionally picked an extreme example to illustrate my point, which is that most of the ethical concerns with giving people brain implants are function of the drawbacks of currently available implantation technology; not fundamental issues with the concept itself.
Obviously we won't be getting things quite to the level of cost and safety as tattoos anytime in the near future. Even Elon Musk's goal with Neuralink is somewhat less ambitious; he only wants it to be as safe and convenient as LASIK.
But how realistic is that?
Your brain is a vital organ. It's encased in a hard skull. There is very little margin for error.
It just doesn't strike me as the sort of procedure that could ever be made as cheap, easy, and safe as getting a tattoo -- at least not in our lifetime.