Ethics of Human Enhancement

Ethics of Human Enhancement/Reproductive Enhancement

Human enhancement is anything done to alter or improve the human body that is beyond therapy. This module will explore the ethical issues involved with various types of human enhancement, including cognitive enhancement, enhancement in sports, body modification, and reproductive enhancement. What are the limits to autonomy? How much can we alter the human body before it can no longer be considered human? Should doctors be permitted to perform non-medically-necessary surgeries for the sake of enhancement? Is enhancement “cheating”? This module will consider questions raised by the changing nature of the medical practice.

Faculty:

Elizabeth Yuko, Ph.D., Center for Ethics Education, Fordham University.

PowerPoint(s):

The Ethics of Human Enhancement