Expectations regarding cognitive enhancement create substantial challenges.
A recent discussion on cognitive enhancers has caused some controversy in the ethics and neuroscience fields by coming out in favour of making neuropharmaceuticals with enhancing properties available for general consumption. We highlight in this brief commentary why concerns regarding efficacy and safety, demands on resources, and public health are substantive enough to warrant serious reconsideration before pharmaceutical performance enhancement can be widely supported.
Racine
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Neuroethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery & Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montréal, Canada. eric.racine@ircm.qc.ca
Forlini
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D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors
D018697:Nootropic Agents