Dublin City University - Human Enhancement in a European context
In May 2009 a study was published by the STOA, the European Parliament's own Scientific Technology Options Assessment unit. The study outlines and discusses possible general strategies of how to deal with the topic of human enhancement in a European context. Whilst it rejects a total
ban and a laissez-faire approach as inappropriate, it identifies a reasoned pro-enhancement approach, a reasoned restrictive approach, and a systematic case-by-case approach as viable options for the EU.
However, the study states that a strategic positioning of EU with regard to the topic of human enhancement would require a normative framework which does not yet exist. The development of such a framework should take into account those dimensions of the human condition that we tend
to consider fundamental to our self-respect and mutual cooperation. The report proposes setting up a European body for the development of a normative framework for human enhancement to guide the formulation of EU policies in this field*.
Against this backdrop Dublin will focus on the topic of human enhancement. Currently, there is no consistent European policy on human enhancement. The three arenas of human enhancement that are currently most advanced and in need of policies and regulatory frameworks are 1) cosmetic interventions (dentistry and surgery); 2) doping in sports; and 3) smart drugs. Most existing regulatory frameworks are liberal with regard to cosmetic interventions and restrictive regarding doping in sports. Regulatory frameworks regarding smart drugs are mostly lacking at the moment.
* EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA), "Human Enhancement Study", 2009, p.144-150; http://www.itas.fzk.de/eng/etag/document/2009/coua09a.pdf
