Today the British Medical Association’s Medical Ethics Committee has published a discussion paper on the use of pharmaceutical products and medical procedures that improve memory, concentration and other cognitive abilities in otherwise healthy individuals.
The paper, Boosting our brainpower: ethical aspects of cognitive enhancements seeks to stimulate public debate on the benefits and harms associated with the use of ‘brain-boosting’ products or procedures, including the use of pharmaceutical drugs such as Ritalin and Modafinil.
Associated harms discussed in the paper include the side effects of taking prescription drugs long-term. The effects on healthy people of taking these drugs may be very different from someone taking them who has a medical condition that requires treatment.
The paper also raises the issue of the possibility of the unintended consequences of some of these drugs. The authors argue that our brains selectively filter out some information and memories, particularly those that are trivial or traumatic. According to this paper, it is not yet clear whether drugs taken to enhance memory will impair this important function. This may create a situation in which user’s brains are ‘over-enhanced’, leading them to be plagued by traumatic memories that could cause distress or even psychological harm.
A related article in today’s Guardian reports that the use of ‘performance-enhancing’ drugs such as Ritalin is well documented among American college students hoping to improve their grades. The report also details individual case studies of UK students who have used drugs such as Ritalin and Modafinil to improve concentration and memory ahead of, or during, exams.
Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the BMA’s Medical Ethics Council said:
“This is a fascinating area that has not been debated by the public. On the one hand, it may all seem very harmless – how many of us take omega 3 supplements to prevent memory loss? On the other hand, we need to consider where this search for optimum brain performance will lead. Should drugs or medical procedures that are designed to treat medical conditions be used by healthy people who simply want to be better than normal?
“We know that there is likely to be a demand by healthy individuals for this ‘treatment’. However given that no drug or invasive medical procedure is risk free, is it ethical to make them available to people who are not ill? Also, how much brain power is enough? There is a concern that there may be undue pressure, perhaps from employers, to ensure that workers are even more effective and productive. The BMA does not have the answers to these questions but we think it is very important that the issues are debated.
The British Medical Association and the Royal Institution of Great Britain is holding a public meeting on this issue on Wednesday 14 November at 7pm.
For more information please contact Ruth Goldsmith in the DrugScope Press Office on 020 7940 7517 (07736 895563 out of hours) or at press@drugscope.org.uk
