# Race, intelligence and genetics: colonialism in the era of neurotechnology

## TL;DR

This paper explores how ideas about intelligence and genetics have historically supported colonialism and racism, and how this affects neurotechnology ethics in the Global South.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the conceptual link between colonialism, intelligence discourse, and neurotechnology ethics.

## Key findings

- Discourses on cognitive abilities have historically been used to marginalize people.
- Understanding colonialism's relationship with science is key to preventing structural injustice in neurotechnology.
- Intelligence as a concept plays a significant role in perpetuating racism and colonial ideologies.

## Abstract

Unequal access is not the only or even the main ethical challenge concerning neurotechnological advancements in the Global South. Epistemic sanctioned discourses on cognitive abilities are powerful and have been used to subdue and marginalize people. Aside from better understanding and preventing exploitative scientific practices, further investigating the historical relationship between colonialism and science is a necessary step to avoid reproducing structural injustice on ethical and legal frameworks to neurotechnology. In this sense, this paper discusses a conceptual matter on neurotechnology that demands further attention, namely the role that intelligence discursively plays in colonialism and racism.