DARPA's ADAPTER Program: Applying the ELSI Approach to a Semi-Autonomous Complex Socio-Technical System

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual framework for Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA) of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's (DARPA) ADvanced Acclimation and Protection Tool for Environmental Readiness (ADAPTER) Program. ADAPTER aims to develop a travel adapter for the human body, an implantable or ingestible bioelectronic carrier. This paper is written in my capacity as an unpaid ELSI panelist providing insights to the project and technical teams engaged with ADAPTER. The methodology employed in the work uses normativity to address the question of desirability and permissibility of an implantable for warfighters to achieve the goal of better sleep cycles and the diminishment of traveler's diarrhea. The paper's contribution is in defining ELSI, understanding ELSI aspects embedded in socio-technical systems design, the role of transdisciplinarity when applying ELSI, and presenting a conceptual framework that will be used to interrogate ADAPTER throughout the lifetime of the Program.