Examining Reports and Policies on Cognitive Enhancement: Approaches, Rationale, and Recommendations

Abstract

The phenomenon of cognitive enhancement is attracting attention in bioethics literature and beyond, in public policy. In response, three bodies—the British Medical Association (BMA); the Commission de l'éthique de la Science et de la technologie (CEST) du Québec; the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)—have produced reports and guidance on this topic. To gain insights into different public policy approaches, rationales, and recommendations on the topic, we analyzed these reports in depth. We found convergence on the definition (with the exception of the CEST) of cognitive enhancement. However, we noted a lack of critical reflection with respect to the underlying rationale for developing these reports, i.e., that cognitive enhancement practices are rampant and represent major social changes. As it currently stands, cognitive enhancement is constituted in a way that challenges the creation of coherent and effective policy recommendations. However, policy makers should not simply wait for definitional consensus and hope that on balance the benefits turn out to be greater than the risks. Some components of cognitive enhancement could be reduced down to clearly identified policy targets to be further examined. Then, if appropriate, policy should be created that is, amongst other criteria, beneficial to the majority of the population.

Keywords:

• biomedical enhancement
• enhancement technologies
• health policy
• psychotropic drugs

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank members of the Novel Tech Ethics team for their comments on earlier drafts of this commentary. We would also like to thank Cynthia Forlini of the IRCM for her feedback on a previous version of this paper. Eric Racine was an unpaid member of the working committee for the CEST's report Psychotropic Drugs and Expanded Uses: An Ethical Perspective. Such members provide input on draft versions of the report but do not review or approve its final version.

Research funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), NNF 80045, States of Mind: Emerging Issues in Neuroethics (SO and ER), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (ER), and a CIHR New Investigator Award (ER).