Cognitively enhancing drugs are prevalent and used by many individuals. It is argued that these drugs should be available for the general public. At the same time, they propose actions that will make sure that society accepts the benefits. Society should accept the advantages of the improvements and should make cognitively enhancing drugs accessible, whilst taking care of the involved risks.
Cognitively enhancing drugs are prevalent and used by many individuals. It is argued that these drugs should be available for the general public. At the same time, they propose actions that will make sure that society accepts the benefits. Society should accept the advantages of the improvements and should make cognitively enhancing drugs accessible, whilst taking care of the involved risks.
Positive effects of these drugs, caused by effects on the catecholamine system, are (among others): improved executive functions, improved focus, improved ability to manipulate information in working memory. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall are often prescribed for medical purposes, for instance to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drugs, however, that were originally developed for the purpose of treatment do also increase cognitive functioning in healthy people.
In most cases human beings are in favor of intellectual innovation. Greely and colleagues view neuroenhancement drugs in the same vein as, for instance, education and healthy eating habits – ways to benefit from present means in order to improve a species’ skills. The argument that those drugs alter brain functions does not hold since, strictly speaking, every single action one undertakes in order to improve cognition alters one’s brain structure. In this sense, drugs that enhance cognition are not different from other, more familiar enhancements. Many people would just simply reject the idea of cognitive enhancers since they perceive it to be “against the rules”. There are no rules, however, that allow tutoring and caffeine but do not allow enhancement drugs. The argument that drugs are unnatural is invalidated by the notion that most elements in today’s daily life are not very natural anymore, so why would it make a difference in this particular case? Greely and colleagues suggest that mentally healthy adults should have access to the drugs in question.
There are three ethical issues related to the use of cognitive enhancers.
- There are concerns about the safety of the drugs; for example there is an occurrence of a new class of side-effects such as unwanted recollections and side-effects in children. There should thus be more research about side-effects.
- Freedom: it is possible that an implicit or explicit pressure to take drugs will emerge as a result of the fear to not be able to keep up with other members in society.
- Fairness. Drugs could increase unfairness, depending on the general availability of the drugs.
To deal with these issues, enforceable policies in order to deal with these issues, a policy which is not laissez-faire but which is not primarily characterized by laws should be established.
A many-sided approach based on four mechanisms is proposed. The first step should be to conduct more research and reach a state of more certainty concerning the use, advantage and possible risks of drug use. Secondly, organizations and associations should formulate guidelines for their members concerning the use of cognitive enhancers. Physicians should offer their knowledge and help with this. Professional standards rather than laws would control the use of enhancing drugs. Thirdly, society should be broadly educated concerning advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, laws should be enacted, but in a limited and careful way. In conclusion, it is best to not ignore the problems enhancement drugs can bring along, but to solve these problems by maximizing the benefits whilst simultaneously minimizing the harms.
