Scientific expertise and the problem of ethical evaluation of emergent technologies

Emerging technologies offer numerous advantages, yet they inherently pose challenges due to the unpredictability of their social and environmental consequences. Often, there are no robust policies and ethical frameworks to regulate their development. The responsibility for these innovations usually rests on the shoulders of the scientists who create and advance them, often entailing significant risks. To predict and mitigate these risks, engaging technology creators in the evaluation process is essential. But what would it entail to actively involve scientists in ethical research and technology assessment? In this paper, we propose a model for collaborative ethical evaluation. Taking biohybrid robotics as an example, we will show how scientific expertise can be incorporated into a transparent deliberation process. Biohybrid robotics is a subfield of robotics that studies how living tissues can be combined with artificial components to amplify performance or develop unique features beyond the capabilities of conventional synthetic materials. Currently, there are dozens of biohybrid models in development, but it is too early to talk about the real-life applications of this technology. As a result, the circle of stakeholders remains limited, with scientists playing the most significant role. To address these limitations and foster a more informed and inclusive discourse on biohybrid research, we suggest organizing a series of deliberative workshops dedicated to ethical controversies around this technology. Following Gil Eyal, we view scientific expertise as a network involving researchers, non-experts, material structures, computer models, and institutional arrangements; as a consequence, our model is based on the participation of scientists, policymakers, and potential users—ordinary citizens, activists, professionals such as medics, engineers, and businesspeople—who will be impacted by biohybrid research. These workshops involve discussion activities using different groupings, techniques, and contexts. All the participants will be provided with a specific tool called 'the ethical grid' to reach consensual decisions via active deliberation. Together, they will explore the future applications of biohybrid robots, examining potential risks and opportunities in the process. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of this format for both the ethical assessment of technology and the academic study of scientific expertise.