A question of consent
One particular challenge is the issue of consent. In order to consent to a medical treatment, a patient needs to be able to understand the risks and benefits involved.
Before the surgery, this patient's family gave their consent to go ahead because the patient himself was unable to. But the scientists had to consider the possibility that the implant might improve the patient's brain function so much that they would have to reconsider the issue of consent, and ask the patient himself.
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