Abstract

The use of tDCS (Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation), a non-invasive and painless brain stimulation technique, could be used in sports as a new form of brain doping. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits doping in competition, and brain doping has the potential to be used as a substitute or workaround for traditional doping methods. As brain doping technologies may provide performance enhancement in a similar way to doping athletes with banned substances or other devices, it is necessary to examine the normative implications of brain doping as an advanced technology. This article examines constitutional principles from the perspective of fundamental rights, such as the rule of law and fairness, and how they relate to human rights issues. In order to focus the discussion on the constitutional issue of anti-corruption, the article examines the public law issues of rule of law and fairness, and the human rights issues of equality, mental freedom, and the right to health, in the context of brain doping in athletes, and suggests implications for anti-doping policy. The implications of imposing restrictions on performance enhancement by intervening in the brain may be a matter of limiting an individual's right to self-determination as a form of self-determination in that it may restrict an individual's ability to improve their performance in a variety of ways of their own free will. In order for brain-doping devices to contribute to sporting fairness, it is important to ensure that access to brain-doping devices is equitable among individuals, while minimizing the adverse effects of using the technology and ensuring that athletes are safe from health risks. Guidelines are needed to ensure that devices that have the potential to undermine the fairness of sporting events through brain doping are included on the anti-doping rule's prohibited list and that athletes who use them are suspended from competition, and that underage athletes are not coerced into using brain-doping devices by coaches, managers et al. When tDCS used for brain doping is marketed as a wellness healthcare product, there is a need for consumer protection. Considering that doping may emerge in new ways in line with advances in science and technology, international cooperation and discussions should be carried out with the participation of civil society to ensure that technological advances do not jeopardize the safety of citizens and become a tool for corruption.

Full Text
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