Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
lating, or imaging brain activity. Personal identities are largely a function
of brain activity, which, in turn, depends upon biochemical events at tril-
lions of chemical synapses, points of communication between nerve cells.
Chemical neuroenhancers act at the level of the synapse, usually to in-
crease the amount or duration of neurotransmitter molecules in the syn-
aptic cleft. Brand-name chemical neuroenhancers include ritalin, Adder-
all, and Prozac. The latter and other antidepressants may also remodel the
brain by expanding the dendritic trees of certain neurons. new genera-
tions of chemical neuroenhancers target mood, memory, and other cogni-
tive functions. Computer-brain interfaces include therapeutic devices like
cochlear implants that function to restore lost sensory function and sensors
that detect electrical signals from brain cells and use them to operate ex-
ternal devices like prosthetic limbs. ethical issues raised by neuroenhanc-
ers include safety, distributive justice, distinguishing between therapy and
enhancement, social pressure for their use, and their effects on personal
responsibility, authenticity, and societal norms.
Questions for Thought and Discussion
1. should everybody be made as smart as possible?
2. Would it be desirable for everybody to be happy all of the time? Why or
why not?
3. should governments or health insurers see to it that everybody has an
equal opportunity for mind enhancement? if not, how should we deter-
mine who is eligible for cognitive enhancements?
4. Do you believe there is a clear distinction between therapeutic and non-
therapeutic neuroenhancement?
5. should federal regulations restrict the types of neuroenhancements de-
veloped in the private sector?
6. Do you believe that future neuroenhancements will further stratify so-
ciety into “haves” and “have-nots”? if not, why not? if so, is this a wor-
risome problem?
7. should use of brain-machine interfaces or brain-imaging technologies
be regulated?
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