Cosmetic Neurology: ethical considerations and public attitudes
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1
University of Pennsylvania, Neurology, United States
In the wake of our improving abilities to treat the impaired nervous system, we are also learning how we might improve functioning of the healthy nervous system. We can modulate our motor, cognitive, and affective systems in ways that potentially enhance us. Pharmacological enhancements are used widely in some circles and their use is likely to increase. Newer non-invasive stimulation techniques also have the potential to be used as enhancements. These devices are available commercially, which means that people now can acquire potentially enhancing neurotechnologies without access being moderated by medical gatekeepers. If we can make people “better,” should we? Neuro-enhancements raise deep ethical concerns about safety, compromised character, distributive justice, and coercion. Despite the ethical quandaries that arise, prohibition of enhancements is not a viable option. Historic precedents might help guide our thinking about the current and presumed future state of cosmetic neurology. Discussions about ethical enhancement and policy implications of such a practice needs to be informed by knowledge of public attitudes. Our results point out American public is not monolithic in its attitudes towards enhancement, a fact that needs to be taken into consideration in policy discussions.
Keywords:
Neuroethics,
cognitive enhancement,
Cosmetic neurology,
Pharmacology,
neuroscience and society
Conference:
2nd International Neuroergonomics Conference, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 27 Jun - 29 Jun, 2018.
Presentation Type:
Oral Presentation
Topic:
Neuroergonomics
Citation:
Chatterjee
A
(2019). Cosmetic Neurology: ethical considerations and public attitudes.
Conference Abstract:
2nd International Neuroergonomics Conference.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2018.227.00137
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Received:
01 Apr 2018;
Published Online:
27 Sep 2019.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, University of Pennsylvania, Neurology, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States, anjan@mail.med.upenn.edu