Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
discussion here, let's consider the human mind to be a product of the inte-
gration of conscious and unconscious cognitive and emotional elements of
brain function that makes us recognizably unique persons to ourselves and
others.
in the case of good minds, can there be too much of a good thing?
By modifying certain aspects of brain function, we can enhance feelings
of well-being and the ability to concentrate on intellectually demanding
tasks? future technologies will offer memory enhancement, selective mem-
ory loss, and other enhancements of the mind. These technologies will
generate ethical dilemmas difficult to imagine today. seven questions guide
our exploration of biotechnology and the human mind:
1. What are neuroenhancement and neuroethics?
2. how do nerve cells work?
3. What are the main parts of a human brain?
4. how do
psychoactive drugs
work?
5. What new neuroenhancements are coming?
6. how could computers enhance brain function?
7. What are the benefits and objections to neuroenhancement?
What Are neuroenhancement and neuroethics?
neuroenhancement is using drugs, machine-computer interfaces, or other
technological interventions to augment or modify brain function. of spe-
cial interest are neuroenhancements that affect mood or cognitive aspects
of brain function such as memory and attentiveness. victims of brain inju-
ries or disorders sometimes receive neuroenhancing treatments in efforts
to restore normal brain function. These are therapeutic neuroenhance-
ments. it can be hard to draw a line between therapeutic neuroenhance-
ment and neuroenhancements aimed at elevating brain function beyond
normal levels. Therefore, some bioethicists avoid the words
treatment
and
therapy
to describe any neuroenhancement. instead, they use
enhancement
to describe any intervention that elevates the performance of a body com-
ponent, including the brain.
in this chapter, i use
neuroenhancement
to describe non-therapeutic inter-
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