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Position Statement of the Commission de l'éthique de la science et de la technologie would like to benefit from physical and cognitive improvements 266 against the rights of those who could feel stigmatized. Such a shift from therapy to performance enhancement could put major pressure on the healthcare system, particularly the Québec drug insurance plan. The Commission cautions against using drugs prescribed for a specific therapeutic purpose to improve cognitive functions, even on an ad hoc basis. It is already known that drugs prescribed to treat narcolepsy or attention deficit disorder can also boost powers of concentration. The temptation is strong to take this type of drug in order to be more alert in a time of intensive work or when taking a test. 267 The safety and efficacy of the molecules are tested for specific therapeutic purposes and medical conditions, not to boost “normal” human abilities. In addition, these molecules generally have side effects deemed acceptable only because the patients taking them have no other choice. 268 The pharmaceutical potential of nanotechnology could magnify this phenomenon. The Commission holds that using nanotechnology to enhance human performance raises ethical concerns, particularly with regard to the subjective boundary between therapy and performance enhancement, society’s mixed messages about the insertion of the disabled population into “active” life, the cult of performance, equity of choice in public healthcare services, and how individual autonomy and responsibility are viewed in society. Provided nanotechnology makes good on its promise, certain of its applications will inevitably call into question the very meaning of the human experience, because they will have the potential to modify the self-perception and cultural identity of all human beings. Given this, how is being human or living as a human being to be defined? What sets human beings apart from other living organisms? What makes human beings unique? To what extent can human beings transform themselves yet still remain human? To what extent are people responsible for and masters of their own actions? How far are human beings prepared to go in the pursuit of perfection? How much freedom is society willing to give individuals in this pursuit? Is the immortality coveted by groups like the transhumanists morally acceptable? Nanotechnology applications in neuroscience add even more weight to these questions, particularly with the development of technologies to manipulate the brain through drugs or to create humanmachine interfaces. 266 Also see Patrick LIN and Fritz ALLHOFF, “Nanoethics and Human Enhancement: A Critical Evaluation of Recent Arguments,” Nanotechnology Perceptions, Vol. 2, No. 1, March 27, 2006 [online] http://nanoethics.org/paper032706.html; Éric de RUS, “Humanisme et transhumanisme : l’Homme en question,” L’Observatoire de la génétique, No. 26, February–March 2006 [online] http://www.ircm.qc.ca/ bioethique/obsgenetique/cadrages/cadr2006/c_no26_06/ci_no26_06_02.html; Arthur CAPLAN, “Is it wrong to try to improve human nature?” in Paul Miller and James Wilsdon (dir.), Better Humans? The Politics of Human Enhancement and Life Extension, DEMOS, Collection 21, 2006 [online] http://www.demos.co.uk/catalogue/ betterhumanscollection/. 267 Kate DOUGLAS et al., “11 Steps to a Better Brain,” NewScientist.com, May 25, 2005 [online] http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/mg18625011.900; Andrea NURKO and Megan ROARTY, “Students turn to study drugs to improve grades, concentration,” GW Hatchet, April 19, 2004 [online] http://www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2004/04/19/Style/Students.Turn.To. Study.Drugs.To.Improve.Grades.Concentration-64366.shtml?norewrite200606011448&sourcedomain= www.gwhatchet.com. 268 Medical News Today, “FDA panel suggests adding black box warning to ADHD medications about risk of sudden death, heart problems,” February 16, 2006 [online] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ medicalnews.php?newsid=37631. 66 Ethics and Nanotechnology: A Basis for Action
Position Statement of the Commission de l'éthique de la science et de la technologie The debate on these emerging practices has only just begun, and the Commission will address these issues in more detail in its upcoming work on neuroscience. 269 In the meantime, it urges an open dialog on these questions so clear positions can be taken on the values that should guide technological development and on what it means to be human and a member of a society defined in time and space. Humankind’s relationship with nature As with self-perception and the way each person defines him or herself as human beings, the increasing development and use of nanotechnology-derived products could help change the way people look at the environment, both individually and collectively. In a technologized world where the artificial and natural meet and intermingle, certain philosophical guideposts have proven vital. Jean-Pierre Dupuy stresses that “the problem is no longer knowing to what extent we can ‘transgress nature’,” but that the very notion of transgression is losing its meaning. Humankind will no longer encounter anything but a world made in the likeness of its own artificial creations.” 270 Humanity’s relationship with nature has changed a lot over the centuries. After being dominated by nature and the elements for a large part of its history, humankind has managed to better grasp the world around it and objectify—as well as partially control—its environment through developments in science and philosophy. With science comes not only knowledge that influences the ability of each person to act, but also an understanding of the effects of their actions on the environment. The notion of responsibility is important in this regard, and it is essential to remember that the power to affect the elements comes with a responsibility for the consequences. Increasingly, philosophers and environmentalists are working on a way to determine the values, attitudes, and behaviors humans demonstrate toward animals, natural objects, and even the biosphere. Such reflections are part of the relatively recent discipline of environmental ethics. As Luc Bégin observes, for some specialists environmental ethics is an extension of sorts of traditional ethics, while others see it as an entirely new school of thought with a very unique approach. 271 The value a society attributes to the environment (i.e., flora, fauna, ecosystems, etc.) will dictate, in part, the actions taken to preserve it (e.g., decontaminating sites so that plants and animals can flourish there once more) or to minimize the direct or indirect effects of a lifestyle that may prove harmful to the environment (e.g., by limiting the use of vehicles or by making them more energy efficient). There are three conceptual models in environmental ethics. The first is utilitarian, i.e., nature’s value derives only from its usefulness to humankind. This is a highly anthropocentric school where 269 Op. cit. 270 Jean-Pierre DUPUY, “Le problème théologico-scientifique et la responsabilité de la science,” Les effets sur le rapport à la nature (effets ontologiques), 2004 [online] http://formes-symboliques.org/ article.php3?id_article=66. [Our translation] 271 Luc BÉGIN, “Éthique environnementale,” in Gilbert Hottois and Jean-Noël Missa (dir.), Nouvelle encyclopédie de bioéthique. Médecine. Environnement. Biotechnologie, Brussels, Éditions DeBoeck Université, 2001, p. 399. Chapter 3 – Nanotechnology: Ethical Concerns 67
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COMMISSION DE L’ÉTHIQUE DE LA SC
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Commission de l’éthique de la sc
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TABLE OF CONTENTS List of acronyms.
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Position Statement of the Commissio
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APPENDIX 2 Summary of applications
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APPENDIX 3 Proposed taxonomy of the
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The Consultation and Information Ac
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MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION DE L’É
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