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Biomechatronics is the engineering integration of electronic control and mechanical actuation into biological organisms. Athletes, warfighters, and other competitors are finding competitive advantages when using biomechatronic prostheses as performance-enhancing aids. Recent sports controversies highlight the ethical issues of using high-performance biomechatronic prostheses in competitions. As biomechatronic technology advances, prosthetic performance will exceed that of the natural body. The ethical impacts of these technologies affect sport, society, and morality. Restrictions of biomechatronic performance must be applied to maintain fair competition. This paper describes the operation of biomechatronic prostheses, surveys the current state of prosthetic performance, forecasts future trends and capabilities, and explores the ethical issues that arise as these technologies improve. Performance-enhancing bionics is the future competitive advantage. |
