Cosmetic pharmacology: Difference between revisions
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'''Cosmetic pharmacology''' refers to the use of drugs to improve cognition in normal healthy individuals, for the purpose of enhancement rather than treatment of a formal pathology. Some case reports with the antidepressant [[Prozac]] indicated that patients seemed "better than well," and authors hypothesized that this effect might be observed in individuals not afflicted with psychiatric disorders. Following these case reports much controversy arose over the veracity and ethics of the cosmetic use of these antidepressants. {{Fact|date=March 2008}} Opponents of cosmetic pharmacology believe that such drug usage is unethical and that the concept of cosmetic pharmacology is a manifestation of naive consumerism. Proponents, such as philosopher Arthur Caplan, state that it is an individual's (rather than government's, or physician's) right to determine whether to use a drug for cosmetic purposes.<ref>Caplan, Arthur. Is Better Best? A Noted Ethicist Argues in Favor of Brain Enhancement. Scientific American. September, 2003. Pages 04-05</ref> |
'''Cosmetic pharmacology''' refers to the use of drugs to improve cognition in normal healthy individuals, for the purpose of enhancement rather than treatment of a formal pathology. Some case reports with the antidepressant [[Prozac]] indicated that patients seemed "better than well," and authors hypothesized that this effect might be observed in individuals not afflicted with psychiatric disorders. Following these case reports much controversy arose over the veracity and ethics of the cosmetic use of these antidepressants. {{Fact|date=March 2008}} Opponents of cosmetic pharmacology believe that such drug usage is unethical and that the concept of cosmetic pharmacology is a manifestation of naive consumerism. Proponents, such as philosopher [[Arthur Caplan]], state that it is an individual's (rather than government's, or physician's) right to determine whether to use a drug for cosmetic purposes.<ref>Caplan, Arthur. Is Better Best? A Noted Ethicist Argues in Favor of Brain Enhancement. Scientific American. September, 2003. Pages 04-05</ref> |
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[[Anjan Chatterjee]], a neurologist at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], has argued that western medicine stands on the brink of a neuro-enhancement revolution in which people will be able to improve their memory and attention through pharamacological means. <ref>Chatterjee, Anjan. Cosmetic Neurology: The Controversy Over Mood Enhancing Movement, Mentation and Mood. Neurology. September 28, 2004. Volume 63(6). Pp. 968-974.</ref> [[Jacob M. Appel]], a Brown University ethicist, has raised concerns about the possibility of employers mandating such enhancement for their workers. <ref>J M Appel |
[[Anjan Chatterjee]], a neurologist at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], has argued that western medicine stands on the brink of a neuro-enhancement revolution in which people will be able to improve their memory and attention through pharamacological means. <ref>Chatterjee, Anjan. Cosmetic Neurology: The Controversy Over Mood Enhancing Movement, Mentation and Mood. Neurology. September 28, 2004. Volume 63(6). Pp. 968-974.</ref> [[Jacob M. Appel]], a Brown University ethicist, has raised concerns about the possibility of employers mandating such enhancement for their workers. <ref>J M Appel |
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Revision as of 15:21, 3 August 2008
Cosmetic pharmacology refers to the use of drugs to improve cognition in normal healthy individuals, for the purpose of enhancement rather than treatment of a formal pathology. Some case reports with the antidepressant Prozac indicated that patients seemed "better than well," and authors hypothesized that this effect might be observed in individuals not afflicted with psychiatric disorders. Following these case reports much controversy arose over the veracity and ethics of the cosmetic use of these antidepressants. [citation needed] Opponents of cosmetic pharmacology believe that such drug usage is unethical and that the concept of cosmetic pharmacology is a manifestation of naive consumerism. Proponents, such as philosopher Arthur Caplan, state that it is an individual's (rather than government's, or physician's) right to determine whether to use a drug for cosmetic purposes.[1]
Anjan Chatterjee, a neurologist at the University of Pennsylvania, has argued that western medicine stands on the brink of a neuro-enhancement revolution in which people will be able to improve their memory and attention through pharamacological means. [2] Jacob M. Appel, a Brown University ethicist, has raised concerns about the possibility of employers mandating such enhancement for their workers. [3]
See also
References
- ^ Caplan, Arthur. Is Better Best? A Noted Ethicist Argues in Favor of Brain Enhancement. Scientific American. September, 2003. Pages 04-05
- ^ Chatterjee, Anjan. Cosmetic Neurology: The Controversy Over Mood Enhancing Movement, Mentation and Mood. Neurology. September 28, 2004. Volume 63(6). Pp. 968-974.
- ^ J M Appel When the boss turns pusher: a proposal for employee protections in the age of cosmetic neurology J Med Ethics 2008; 34: 616-618
External links
- Society for the Advancement of Cosmetic Pharmacotherapy
- Psychopharmacology and the human condition
- The Responsible Parent's Guide to Health Mood-boosters for All the Family