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Table 1 Examples of ethical issues depending on the translational process elements

From: Translational research—the need of a new bioethics approach

Translational process

Ethical issues

Examples

Phases

Mainly derived from research ethics—animal bioethics, research of clinical trials, etc.

Informed consent in clinical trials for the development of assistive devices

Social injustice and discrimination caused by using neural prostheses to enhance neurocognitive processes [62]

Gaps

Ethics of resource allocation

Allocation of public research grants for either “safer” research, with high chances of success but limited healthcare impact versus unconventional research with smaller chances of success but greater potential healthcare impact

Data transfer

Research misconduct, data confidentiality

Sharing of data obtained from neural sensory input that is used in modelling software medical solutions [63, 64]

Process of translational research as a whole

Social justice, translational approach of risks, data sharing and protection

Conducting medical trials in developing countries