Should we use drugs to enhance cognitive performance?
Maxine Clarke
Monday, 01 December 2008 17:40 UTC
There is a growing trend to take prescription stimulants (Adderall and Ritalin for example) in order to enhance cognitive performance – perhaps in attempt to obtain better grades or increase learning capacity. Nature has been reporting on developments in this controversial area and providing a forum for discussion. In a Commentary article published online today (_Nature doi:10.1038/456702a; 7 December 2008) Henry Greely and co-authors, who include Philip Campbell, Editor in Chief of Nature, say that society must respond to this demand. The authors call for:
- a presumption that adults should be able to use drugs for this purpose
- an evidence-based approach to evaluate the risks and benefits
- legal and ethical policies to ensure fair and equitable use
- a research programme
- broadly available information about risks and benefits
Do you agree with the authors that new methods of improving our brain function should be welcomed, to improve quality of life and extend lifespans? Will safe and effective cognitive enhancers benefit the individual and society? Or should these drugs remain illegal for these purposes?
The Nature Commentary is published online tonight (7 December) and will be in the 11 December 2008 print edition of the journal.
Previous Nature Network discussion responding to the question ‘would you boost your brain power?’
Updated 08 December 2008 08:27 UTC
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So what was the result of discussion? Any arguments for or against using of drugs?
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Omg I can’t believe it is true. Using drugs is the worst way to enhance anything, it is the right way to ruin your whole body system.
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