Neuronal optogenetics as a new topic of technology assessment?

• Published in: TATuP - Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis (Online) Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 68 - 73
• Main Author: Zillmann, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; German
• Published: oekom verlag GmbH 25.06.2025
• Subjects: Biotechnik; genetic engineering; neuronal optogenetics; technology assessment
• ISSN: 2568-020X; 2567-8833; 2567-8833
• DOI: 10.14512/tatup.7225

This article is intended as a sketchy reflection on the question of the extent to which neuronal optogenetics could become a future topic of technology assessment (TA). To this end, we must first take a closer look at what technologies should be the subject of TA and what tasks can be ascribed to TA. In addition, an exemplary and also sketchy examination is made of whether TA on genetic engineering has already dealt with questions that arise in connection with genetic interventions in neuronal optogenetics. In this way, it can be determined whether neuronal optogenetics raises new questions for TA or requires new answers from it. The results suggest that a TA of neuronal optogenetics is needed. This article is intended as a sketchy reflection on the question of the extent to which neuronal optogenetics could become a future topic of technology assessment (TA). To this end, we must first take a closer look at what technologies should be the subject of TA and what tasks can be ascribed to TA. In addition, an exemplary and also sketchy examination is made of whether TA on genetic engineering has already dealt with questions that arise in connection with genetic interventions in neuronal optogenetics. In this way, it can be determined whether neuronal optogenetics raises new questions for TA or requires new answers from it. The results suggest that a TA of neuronal optogenetics is needed.