Cognitively/Mentally Disabled

One of the cheif targets of the campaign against human enhancement technologies have been psychopharmaceuticals and therapies used to treat mental illnesses.  Displaying little sympathy for the crippling experience of post-traumatic stress, depression, attention deficit disorder and dementia, bioconservatives have argued that the availability of treatments should be limited to only the most afflicted in order to prevent “enhancement.”

Transhumanists believe the key question should instead be the ratio of benefits to risks in the use of these technologies. If a drug or therapy has minimal risks and provides benefits we believe decision-making should be left up to the individual in consultation with their health care providers, whether the person fits a strict diagnostic category or not.