Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.7906/indecs.12.4.1

The Neuroenhancement of Healthy Individuals Using tDCS: Some Ethical, Legal and Societal Aspects

Toni Pustovrh orcid.org/0000-0001-8956-7123 ; Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana

Abstract

Over the past two decades there has been increasing scientific interest in Human Enhancement, that is, the possibilities of expanding and enhancing the capabilities of healthy individuals with direct technological interventions into the body. The (sub)field of neuroenhancement, which explores attempts to technologically increase attention, memory, perception, learning and other cognitive capabilities, as well as alter mood and emotions, has become especially prominent. Recently, transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a possible method for enhancing cognitive abilities in healthy individuals. The article provides a short overview of the concept of neuroenhancement and of the cognitive enhancement effects that tDCS has demonstrated in the scientific literature. It further focuses on the (neuro)ethical, legal and societal implications of such a practice, and points out issues and questions that especially require further research and investigation, both from a neuroscientific and from a social sciences and humanities perspective. tDCS could become another addition to the increasing set of Human Enhancement Technologies, but it requires further rigorous studies and trials in order to properly assess its potential risks and benefits.

Keywords

tDCS; transcranial direct-current stimulation; neuroenhancement; cognitive enhancement; neuroethics

Hrčak ID:

129215

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/129215

Publication date:

31.10.2014.

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