Cognitive Enhancement Research Paper
Evaluate the concept of cognitive enhancement via pharmaceuticals
1. Why cognitive enhancement is interesting in connection with Pharma culture
After exploring the definition and different types of cognitive enhancement I am going to focus on the enhancement of attention, especially in relation to the drug Ritalin.
2. Define what enhancement is
Enhancement is where an external object is used to enhance powers and capabilities, for example binoculars. The issue with these instruments is that some people use it as part of their body. Enhancement is usually contrasted to therapy, which is used to restore normality through repairing or correcting damages, such as the use of glasses. E.T. Juengst defines enhancement to “characterize interventions …show more content…
Enhancement also defines the field of biomedical research and indicates limits on health care payment plans.
• Enhancement can be seen as a normative concept, referring to people’s decision to improve themselves or their children.
• For policy makers, enhancement is used as a regulatory concept with separate regulations for enhancement and biomedicine. o However, it can be depicted that treatments are used to deal with diseases and disabilities, compared with enhancement targeting healthy systems and normal traits. o Enhancement does not legitimate medical needs but it can be argued that the change it produces is for the good.
3. Cognitive enhancement and different types
Bostrom, N. and Sandberg, A. (2009) ‘Cognitive enhancement: Methods, ethics, regulatory challenges’, Science and Engineering Ethics, 15(3), pp. 311–341. doi: 10.1007/s11948-009-9142-5.
– Cognitive enhancement can be described as “Amplification/extending normal capacity of the mind, through a process of changing the internal or external information processing …show more content…
The two areas that pharmaceutical companies and drug companies want to look into is the increase in normal levels of memory and medication to block certain memory.
1. The education system has been constructed around memory. The emphasis on our memory increases need for study drugs that enhance our memory.
2. Pharma found that there are other things that we want to forget/ block our memory - useful for post-traumatic stress disorder e.g. in rape victims.
The enhancement of attention is an executive function, to increase focus, self-control and cognitive inhibition.
Research on ADHD – define ADHD
Adderall was initially used for ADHD and narcolepsy and is now used as an athletic performance and cognitive enhancer. Adderall is also used recreationally as an aphrodisiac and to produce a feeling of euphoria.
Ritalin
o 3 PARADIGMS - Racine, E. and Forlini, C. (2008) ‘Cognitive enhancement, lifestyle choice or misuse of prescription drugs?’, Neuroethics, 3(1), pp. 1–4. doi: 10.1007/s12152-008-9023-7.
– What is it?
– Works in…
– What it is enhancing (initially made for therapy, used now for enhancement)
– Side
1. Why cognitive enhancement is interesting in connection with Pharma culture
After exploring the definition and different types of cognitive enhancement I am going to focus on the enhancement of attention, especially in relation to the drug Ritalin.
2. Define what enhancement is
Enhancement is where an external object is used to enhance powers and capabilities, for example binoculars. The issue with these instruments is that some people use it as part of their body. Enhancement is usually contrasted to therapy, which is used to restore normality through repairing or correcting damages, such as the use of glasses. E.T. Juengst defines enhancement to “characterize interventions …show more content…
Enhancement also defines the field of biomedical research and indicates limits on health care payment plans.
• Enhancement can be seen as a normative concept, referring to people’s decision to improve themselves or their children.
• For policy makers, enhancement is used as a regulatory concept with separate regulations for enhancement and biomedicine. o However, it can be depicted that treatments are used to deal with diseases and disabilities, compared with enhancement targeting healthy systems and normal traits. o Enhancement does not legitimate medical needs but it can be argued that the change it produces is for the good.
3. Cognitive enhancement and different types
Bostrom, N. and Sandberg, A. (2009) ‘Cognitive enhancement: Methods, ethics, regulatory challenges’, Science and Engineering Ethics, 15(3), pp. 311–341. doi: 10.1007/s11948-009-9142-5.
– Cognitive enhancement can be described as “Amplification/extending normal capacity of the mind, through a process of changing the internal or external information processing …show more content…
The two areas that pharmaceutical companies and drug companies want to look into is the increase in normal levels of memory and medication to block certain memory.
1. The education system has been constructed around memory. The emphasis on our memory increases need for study drugs that enhance our memory.
2. Pharma found that there are other things that we want to forget/ block our memory - useful for post-traumatic stress disorder e.g. in rape victims.
The enhancement of attention is an executive function, to increase focus, self-control and cognitive inhibition.
Research on ADHD – define ADHD
Adderall was initially used for ADHD and narcolepsy and is now used as an athletic performance and cognitive enhancer. Adderall is also used recreationally as an aphrodisiac and to produce a feeling of euphoria.
Ritalin
o 3 PARADIGMS - Racine, E. and Forlini, C. (2008) ‘Cognitive enhancement, lifestyle choice or misuse of prescription drugs?’, Neuroethics, 3(1), pp. 1–4. doi: 10.1007/s12152-008-9023-7.
– What is it?
– Works in…
– What it is enhancing (initially made for therapy, used now for enhancement)
– Side