Musical Performance and Biomedical Human Enhancement: Ethnographic Perspectives on Bioethical Questions.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Ethics
• Music Performance Psychology

Background:

• Beta-blocking drugs have been used by classical musicians since the 1970s to manage performance anxiety.
• This practice is common in high-stakes auditions within the classical music community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the use of biomedical human enhancement, specifically beta-blocking drugs, in musical performance.
• To understand how classical musicians perceive the use of these drugs in their community.

Main Methods:

• In-depth, structured, ethnographic interviews with professional classical musicians.
• Analysis of musicians' perspectives on beta-blocker use.

Main Results:

• Musicians often view beta-blocker use as a legitimate therapy or training tool, unlike in professional athletics where it's often banned.
• Dominant bioethical values (autonomy, hard work, fairness, justice) were largely absent in musicians' conceptions of beta-blocker use.
• Community cultural values significantly shape ethical considerations of biomedical enhancements.

Conclusions:

• The classical music community's unique cultural values influence the ethical discourse surrounding biomedical human enhancement.
• Examining beta-blocker use in music provides a case study for understanding community-specific ethical frameworks for performance enhancement.
• The findings highlight the divergence between established bioethical principles and the lived experiences within specific professional groups.