Neurocognitive enhancement: ethical considerations for an emerging subspecialty

Abstract

Clinical neuropsychology has traditionally focused on the diagnosis and treatment of pathology. However, recent technological advances have begun to make possible the enhancement of healthy neurocognitive functioning. The potential to improve normal neurocognitive abilities, and the options for providing such improvement, raise complex ethical issues. To best serve consumers, the profession, and society, neuropsychologists must begin to consider the ethical issues related to neurocognitive enhancement. This article reviews neurocognitive enhancement methods, introduces and examines ethical issues that emerge when the enhancement of healthy neurocognitive functioning is considered, and offers recommendations for neuropsychologists entering this emerging subspecialty.