Imagine that you have been asked to prepare an article in a psychology newslette
ID: 3445293 • Letter: I
Question
Imagine that you have been asked to prepare an article in a psychology newsletter on the ethical implications of learning enhancement. Write a reflection paper that discusses your own ethical viewpoint toward the use of brain enhancement. Some of the issues you might consider in preparing your paper are:
• What types of brain/computer interfaces have already taken place? What might be the future of such interfaces?
• Will brain enhancements be equally available to all diverse groups? What happens if they are not?
• Who controls how brains are enhanced and who receives enhancement?
Explanation / Answer
Some pointers:
A novel development in the realms of neuroscience has raised a few ethical concerns over new techniques to increase and enhance cognitive functions; these techniques of brain enhancement range from drugs, electrical stimulation and so on, and their potential use has raged a fusillade of ethical debates over moral corruption.
These methods and techniques were at first created and implemented to treat certain neurological and psychological impairments, which are required and a much needed intervention. But, these have been venturing close to the ethical dilemma wherein people who veritably have no abnormalities have been known to using these methods as enhancatory tools.
This will most likely lead to the genesis of an even dogmatic and impenetrable class system and social as well as monetary hierarchy. The rich will not only get richer, but also smarter. Intelligence could be a potential commodity sold on the market just like any other drug. And, of course, these drugs for their known apparent function are going to be highly priced, which will make these drugs eventually flow into black markets where they can be made available to the less privileged groups at a subsidized rate as well. This can mean dire consequences for the society as a whole.
Neuroscientists are faced with a dilemma of ethical consideration that needs to have a lot of thought put in.
Many of these drugs, such as PCE (Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancer), are being used at a prolific rate for recreational purposes. This has led to the advent of a new field called Neuroethics, which deals with the ethical considerations charged in the field of neuroscience.
But, the dilemma behind the usage of these drugs have quite a few known side effects that can cause many impairments in the given healthy individuals who exploit these drugs for higher cognitive function purposes.
Many of the groups that indulge in these practices of using PCE aren't aware of the potential side effects that these drugs can possibly impose. This is due to the insufficient data and literature that has been released pertaining to these drugs. This lack of sufficient knowledge can be harmful for the society as the use of these drugs is burgeoning.