Cognitive EnhancementPharmacologic, Environmental and Genetic Factors
2015, Pages 343–365
Abstract
“Cognitive
enhancement” refers to the use of drugs or devices for
non–health-related improvement of cognition. Most cognitive enhancers
have either been developed in model animals or they have a history of
use in humans. While many specific issues related to existing cognitive
enhancers remain unanswered (e.g., properties, prevalence, modalities,
reasons for use, likely future developments) the normative issues
surrounding their use (i.e., should they be used, for what, and by whom)
are perhaps the most contentious. A range of normative issues (e.g.,
authenticity) have been discussed in the literature, but this chapter
provides a short overview of the positions adopted on a key normative
issue; whether the use of cognitive enhancement is a form of cheating.
We also discuss the regulation of cognitive enhancers using fictional
yet realistic scenarios and, finally, we analyze the policy options for
existing and future cognitive enhancers, discussing the legal and
methodological challenges faced in developing a legitimate,
evidence-based regulatory policy.
Keywords
- Cheating;
- Cognitive enhancement;
- Ethical and regulatory issues;
- Neurostimulation devices;
- Stimulant drugs
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
