TY - JOUR T1 - Cognitive neuroenhancement: false assumptions in the ethical debate JF - Journal of Medical Ethics JO - J Med Ethics SP - 372 LP - 375 DO - 10.1136/medethics-2011-100041 VL - 38 IS - 6 AU - Andreas Heinz AU - Roland Kipke AU - Hannah Heimann AU - Urban Wiesing Y1 - 2012/06/01 UR - http://jme.bmj.com/content/38/6/372.abstract N2 - The present work critically examines two assumptions frequently stated by supporters of cognitive neuroenhancement. The first, explicitly methodological, assumption is the supposition of effective and side effect-free neuroenhancers. However, there is an evidence-based concern that the most promising drugs currently used for cognitive enhancement can be addictive. Furthermore, this work describes why the neuronal correlates of key cognitive concepts, such as learning and memory, are so deeply connected with mechanisms implicated in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviour so that modification of these systems may inevitably run the risk of addiction to the enhancing drugs. Such a potential risk of addiction could only be falsified by in-depth empirical research. The second, implicit, assumption is that research on neuroenhancement does not pose a serious moral problem. However, the potential for addiction, along with arguments related to research ethics and the potential social impact of neuroenhancement, could invalidate this assumption. It is suggested that ethical evaluation needs to consider the empirical data as well as the question of whether and how such empirical knowledge can be obtained. ER -