Enhancing Human Capacities

This stimulating volume is the first to review the very latest scientific developments in human enhancement. It is unique in its examination of the ethical and policy implications of these technologies from a broad range of perspectives, including philosophy, the biological and neurosciences, and the social sciences. Human enhancement is one of the most exciting -- and troubling -- areas of recent scientific advance. It raises new and profound challenges relating to the human condition as well as giving rise to serious questions surrounding the limits and ethics of changing human nature. This stimulating volume is the first to review the very latest scientific developments in human enhancement. It is unique in its examination of the ethical and policy implications of these technologies from a broad range of perspectives, including philosophy, the biological and neurosciences, and the social sciences. The book covers all major forms of human enhancement: cognitive, mood, physical, moral and life extension, as well as general conceptual and moral questions about enhancement. Enhancing Human Capacities includes state of the art reviews of the science of enhancement from different perspectives, ethical discussion of key concepts and questions, and concrete policy applications. The book concludes with general discussions of the policy implications of biomedical enhancement in the EU and US contexts. All contributions are by world leading ethicists, neuroscientists and social scientists from Europe and North America. Enhancing Human Capacities is the first to review the very latest scientific developments in human enhancement. It is unique in its examination of the ethical and policy implications of these technologies from a broad range of perspectives.

• Presents a rich range of perspectives on enhancement from world leading ethicists and scientists from Europe and North America
• The most comprehensive volume yet on the science and ethics of human enhancement
• Unique in providing a detailed overview of current and expected scientific advances in this area
• Discusses both general conceptual and ethical issues and concrete questions of policy
• Includes sections covering all major forms of enhancement: cognitive, affective, physical, and life extension