Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
S Afr Med J. 2012 Oct 22;102(12):909-11. doi: 10.7196/samj.6090.
The quest for enhancement has been part of human culture for thousands of years. Progress in scientific developments and especially in medical science has enabled previously unimaginable advances to be employed in endeavours to improve human functioning in its various forms. Previously enhancement focused on aspects such as prolonging life, improving the immune system or cosmetic enhancements. Cognitive enhancement is currently receiving substantial attention. The use of stimulants such as methylphenidate, especially among students at tertiary institutions aiming to enhance their cognitive abilities, has raised concerns, ranging from safety issues and the risk of drug abuse to moral issues relating to the broader context of enhancement. We consider arguments used to debate both the promotion of enhancement therapies and the restriction and possibly even prevention of their use.
对增强的追求是人类文化的一部分，已经有几千年的历史了。科学发展的进步，特别是医学科学的进步，使得以前难以想象的进步得以应用于改善人类各种形式的功能的努力中。以前的增强重点是延长寿命、增强免疫系统或美容增强等方面。认知增强目前受到了广泛关注。使用兴奋剂等药物，特别是在高等学府的学生中，旨在提高他们的认知能力，引起了人们的关注，从安全问题和药物滥用的风险到与更广泛的增强背景相关的道德问题都有涉及。我们考虑了用于辩论促进增强疗法的使用以及限制甚至可能预防其使用的论点。
