Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement
Human enhancement involves interventions that enhance physical or cognitive performance or overall wellbeing beyond typical human limits. The consequence of human enhancement has the potential to radically reshape society and the very existence of our species, requiring careful consideration of its...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1595213/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849429782650945536 |
|---|---|
| author | Chiara Gerardi Christodoulos Xinaris |
| author_facet | Chiara Gerardi Christodoulos Xinaris |
| author_sort | Chiara Gerardi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Human enhancement involves interventions that enhance physical or cognitive performance or overall wellbeing beyond typical human limits. The consequence of human enhancement has the potential to radically reshape society and the very existence of our species, requiring careful consideration of its ethical and regulatory boundaries. In this paper, we explore current applications of human enhancement, including motor neuro -prostheses, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and gene therapy. We analysed key unresolved challenges and potential solutions, focusing on regulatory and policy frameworks, ethical considerations in clinical research, transparency through registries, traceability of interventions, and the role of informed decision-making and consent. Finally, we critically examine the evolving definition of health and the need to delineate clear boundaries between prevention and enhancement. By addressing these issues, this paper aims to contribute to the ongoing dialog on the responsible development and implementation of human enhancement technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3a38b7fa553345f8bc33f37cccf657a9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-858X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-3a38b7fa553345f8bc33f37cccf657a92025-08-20T03:28:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-07-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15952131595213Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancementChiara GerardiChristodoulos XinarisHuman enhancement involves interventions that enhance physical or cognitive performance or overall wellbeing beyond typical human limits. The consequence of human enhancement has the potential to radically reshape society and the very existence of our species, requiring careful consideration of its ethical and regulatory boundaries. In this paper, we explore current applications of human enhancement, including motor neuro -prostheses, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and gene therapy. We analysed key unresolved challenges and potential solutions, focusing on regulatory and policy frameworks, ethical considerations in clinical research, transparency through registries, traceability of interventions, and the role of informed decision-making and consent. Finally, we critically examine the evolving definition of health and the need to delineate clear boundaries between prevention and enhancement. By addressing these issues, this paper aims to contribute to the ongoing dialog on the responsible development and implementation of human enhancement technologies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1595213/fullhuman enhancementgene editingregulatoryethicscognitive enhancementphysical enhancement |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Gerardi Christodoulos Xinaris Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement Frontiers in Medicine human enhancement gene editing regulatory ethics cognitive enhancement physical enhancement |
| title | Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement |
| title_full | Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement |
| title_fullStr | Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement |
| title_short | Beyond human limits: the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of human enhancement |
| title_sort | beyond human limits the ethical social and regulatory implications of human enhancement |
| topic | human enhancement gene editing regulatory ethics cognitive enhancement physical enhancement |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1595213/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chiaragerardi beyondhumanlimitstheethicalsocialandregulatoryimplicationsofhumanenhancement AT christodoulosxinaris beyondhumanlimitstheethicalsocialandregulatoryimplicationsofhumanenhancement |