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Disability, Enhancement, and Flourishing.
1Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|November 21, 2022
Summary
Human enhancement technologies raise ethical questions about valuing disabled individuals. This research explores reconciling enhanced capabilities with the acceptance and flourishing of people with disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Human Enhancement Technologies
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Ongoing debate surrounds human enhancement via genetic, pharmacological, cybernetic, or surgical interventions.
- Bioethicists are divided between transhumanists advocating for enhancement and bioconservatives warning against non-therapeutic manipulation.
- A shared concern exists regarding the status and interests of individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ethical reconciliation of valuing human capability enhancement with valuing individuals with disabilities.
- To determine if enhanced capabilities can be valued without devaluing those with "normal function" below-average capabilities.
- To explore if biotechnological cognitive enhancement can improve flourishing for individuals with cognitive disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical inquiry and ethical analysis.
- Review of bioethical literature on human enhancement and disability.
- Conceptual exploration of flourishing and capability thresholds.
Main Results:
- The study examines the potential conflict between valuing enhancement and valuing disability.
- It questions whether valuing enhanced capabilities necessitates devaluing individuals with disabilities.
- It considers the impact of cognitive enhancement on the flourishing of individuals with cognitive disabilities.
Conclusions:
- Reconciling human enhancement with the valuation of individuals with disabilities is a complex ethical challenge.
- Careful consideration is needed to ensure that enhancement pursuits do not lead to the devaluation of disabled individuals.
- Biotechnological interventions may offer pathways to enhanced flourishing for some individuals with disabilities, but ethical frameworks must guide their application.
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