Cognitive Enhancement: Promises and Perils

Quotes from this very philosphical article on cognitive enhancers:

“To prosper and flourish in a rapidly changing world, we must make the most of all our resources-both mental and material. Globalization and its associated demands for competitiveness are increasing the pressures in our working lives. Added to this are the demands from evolving family structures and increased care responsibilities, … What exactly is it …that most calls for relief? Just sickness and suffering, or also such things as nastiness, folly, and despair? … should it also encompass augmenting our share of positive goods-beauty, strength, memory, intelligence, longevity, or happiness itself? ”

In the present paper, Hyman writes that for cognition, emotions and behavior, the “boundary” is heavily contested between enhancement and disorders that warrant treatment.

“This contestation reflects, in part, the lack of scientifically convincing demarcations between illness and such conditions of life as “normal” reactions to disappointments, losses, stress, and the like or having been born with a currently disfavored temperament, such as significant shyness. A large and growing literature finds that most common neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism are actually better understood dimensionally with no bright line (or “point of rarity”) between illness and health”.

Among other things, Hyman concludes that “a serious problem for science is the dearth of truly efficacious new drugs to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.” He engages in philosophical discussion about progress in drug discovery and development, and the issue of use of drug enhancements.

Hyman, Steven E. Cognitive Enhancement: Promises and Perils. Neuron 69 (4): 595-598 (2011).

http://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273%2811%2900109-7