Opinion by the European Group on Ethics in Science & New Technol. Info. & Communication Technol. (ICT) pervade our lives & are becoming more & more a part of our bodies, either because we wear them (wearable computing) or because they are implanted in our bodies. Although ICT implants (such as cardiac pacemakers) may be used to repair deficient bodily capabilities, they can also be misused, particularly if these devices are accessible via digital networks. This Opinion will raise awareness & questions concerning the ethical dilemmas created by a range of ICT implants in this field. Proposes clear ethical boundaries, legal principles & suggests several steps that should be taken by responsible regulators. Text in English, French & German. Illus.

Human information and communication technology (ICT) implants have developed for many years in a medical context. Such applications have become increasingly advanced, in some cases modifying fundamental brain function. Today, comparatively low-tech implants are being increasingly employed in non-therapeutic contexts, with applications ranging from the use of ICT implants for VIP entry into nightclubs, automated payments for goods, access to secure facilities and for those with a high risk of being kidnapped. Commercialisation and growing potential of human ICT implants have generated debate over the ethical, legal and social aspects of the technology, its products and application. Despite stakeholders calling for greater policy and legal certainty within this area, gaps have already begun to emerge between the commercial reality of human ICT implants and the current legal frameworks designed to regulate these products. This book focuses on the latest technological developments and on the legal, social and ethical implications of the use and further application of these technologies.

Providing an overview of the process of e-inclusion for older people and addressing the ethical, social and legal aspects of the process, this book is suitable for researchers, policy-makers, organisations and companies, as well as for those with an interest in the identification and promotion of good practice within an ageing society.

"This book charts this influence and describes the unique effect electronic communication has on organizations, communities, nations, and cultures"--Provided by publisher.