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High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex to Enhance Metacognitive Sensitivity

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Is human enhancement also a personal matter?

Vincent Menuz¹, Thierry Hurlimann, Béatrice Godard

¹Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bioethics Programs, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. vincent.menuz@umontreal.ca

Science and Engineering Ethics

|July 26, 2011

Summary

Defining human enhancement is complex due to evolving technologies and controversial standards. This paper examines existing definitions and proposes a new one focused on individual perceptions to address ethical challenges.

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Area of Science:

Bioethics
Philosophy of Technology
Human Augmentation Studies

Background:

Emerging technologies aim to enhance human body and mind beyond current standards.
Defining human enhancement is challenging due to controversial standards and lack of consensus.
Ethical and social impacts of human enhancement are widely debated.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine various definitions of human enhancement in the existing literature.
To classify these definitions into four main categories.
To propose a new definition of human enhancement based on individual perceptions.

Main Methods:

Literature review and classification of existing definitions.
Analysis of implicit approaches, therapy-enhancement distinction, general capacity improvement, and well-being increase.
Development of a perception-focused definition.

Main Results:

Existing definitions of human enhancement are categorized into four main approaches.
Each approach has limitations in defining human enhancement.
A definition centered on individual perceptions is proposed.

Conclusions:

A universally accepted definition of human enhancement remains elusive.
Focusing on individual perceptions offers a novel approach to defining human enhancement.
This perception-based definition can aid in addressing complex ethical and social issues.