**7. Conclusions**

From the discussion presented in this paper on "cyborg law", we consider existing laws and statutes to be less than fully adequate to regulate and guide the development of cyborg technologies—it is clear that further legislative and judicial work is required. Some countries have taken a proactive approach and strategized for a technological future while others have debated the ethical issues created when modifying the human body and its capabilities. The existing structures of intellectual property and constitutional law provide a framework around which new cyborg technologies and their legal implications may be developed; however, when these technologies affect the core of a person's mind, they become elevated from a procedural to an ethical and civil importance (see Figure 2 for some examples of the various factors involved). For example, neuroprosthesis—a technology deeply integrated into the body which can change the working of the mind—should be considered core to an individual's mental functioning, and thus of grea<sup>t</sup> legal import. A legal and policy discussion on these topics should happen sooner rather than later.

As we move deeper into the 21st century, the speed of technological advances is undoubtedly accelerating. Efforts to reverse engineer the neural circuitry of the brain are opening the door for the development of cyborg devices which may be used to enhance the brain's capabilities. In fact, neuroprosthetic devices are being created now which can serve to restore lost cognitive function or, in the case of techniques such as transcranial brain stimulation to provide therapeutic help for those with depression [40]; within a few decades, even more cyborg technology will exist to enhance cognitive functioning. That is to say, we are on the cusp of creating a class of people which would resemble sci-fi versions of cyborgs in popular media, people with "computer-like" brains connected to the internet communicating wirelessly by thought. Such developments will surely challenge current legal doctrine and established public policy [39,40]. Based on these observations, we need a "law of the cyborg" because without it, constitutional laws, the broad intellectual property laws, and civil protections will not cover the intricacies of this new technology—especially because it creates a *new* way of being and sense of self [1]. On that point, as discussed in this article, there is a current body of law which applies (albeit indirectly in many cases) to cyborg technologies. However, this body of law is insufficient and near-future cyborg technologies will surely create grea<sup>t</sup> challenges for established legal doctrine. In conclusion, we recommend that much more be done in the area of law and policy for cyborg technology while we still have time to chart our future in the coming cyborg age.

### **Author Contributions:** Both authors contributed equally to this paper.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
