With the rapid advance of the neural science in decoding the human brain signals and uncovering its information processing mechanisms, as well as the innovations of the brain-computer interface technologies, the scope and the precision of the brain computer interaction (BCI) are greatly improved. Along with the development of the BCI technologies and their applications, the potential ethical issues have emerged, with an increased importance for a further study and it becomes necessary to develop effective strategies to regulate the applications of BCI technologies. This paper reviews the recent advances of the BCI technologies, and discusses the potential ethnical challenges to the society, including the security, the privacy, the fairness and the free will. Some suggestions are made to reduce the ethical risks.

braincomputer interface  /  ethical issues  /  neuroscience