Ethical dilemma: Should brain wave games be called devices?

MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Ethicists are calling on regulators to include brain-wave games under the medical device umbrella, making them subject to more stringent federal controls.

The games, such as Uncle Milton Star Wars Force Trainer, use a headband or helmet that picks up brain signals to allow players to direct objects with their thoughts.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics thinks there needs to be more oversight and is calling for increased safety assurances by regulating the games as though they were medical devices, according to Metro.

"What we would like to see is action from the [European Union] to classify neuro devices as medical devices for regulatory purposes, even when they’re being used for non-health care ends," stated Graeme Laurie, a professor at the University of Edinburgh.

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