Caffeine use by children: the quest for enhancement.
Fair play, both in academics and sports, is a concept that is challenged by the notion of performance enhancement. Both cognitive and physical performance can be viewed as potentially enhanceable, and arguments can be made that enhancement can serve two purposes: gaining an edge or keeping up with others (who may or may not have used performance-enhancing substances). Caffeine, a central nervous system and cardiac stimulant, is frequently used by children for both academic and athletic performance enhancement. In fact, the marketplace contains a plethora of caffeinated products marketed directly to children. This article examines safety and ethical issues associated with the use of caffeine by children and explores the question: Can cognitive performance enhancement be ethically permissible if sports performance enhancement is not?
Department of Bioethics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. txbioethics@yahoo.com
Katrina A
KA
Bramstedt
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D024803:Biomedical Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002182:Candy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000941:ethics; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D013177:Sports / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D002110:Caffeine