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How cognitive enhancement can change our duties
Filippo Santoni de Sio1, Nadira Faulmüller2, Nicole A Vincent3
1Department Values, Technology and Innovation, Faculty Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology Delft, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
|August 8, 2014
Summary
Pharmacological cognitive enhancement could create new legal duties for high-responsibility professionals. This paper explores the societal and legal implications of safe and effective mental performance-enhancing drugs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ethics
- Law
Background:
- Pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) offers potential benefits for mental performance.
- The development of safe and effective PCE techniques is a growing area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the societal and legal ramifications of potential future pharmacological cognitive enhancers.
- To stimulate discussion among scientists and the public regarding the ethical considerations of PCE.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of potential societal and legal impacts.
- Exploration of ethical considerations in professional responsibility.
Main Results:
- Future PCE could impose new duties on professionals in high-risk fields.
- Ethical frameworks may need to adapt to the use of cognitive enhancers.
Conclusions:
- The advent of PCE necessitates proactive consideration of its legal and ethical consequences.
- Interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial to navigate the societal integration of cognitive enhancement technologies.
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