•  
  •  
 

Authors

Abstract

Ethical and social issues involved in human biological enhancements have been increasingly controversial, whether in the form of steroids in sports, of genetic selection for better children, or of study pills for cognitive enhancement. This article begins with examples of controversial human biological enhancements and a review of the arguments against such enhancements. Next, it intensively examines whether human biological enhancements are meaningfully different from other kinds of human enhancement. Then it analyzes ways in which human cultural diversity and splintered political sovereignty cut against effective curbs on such enhancements. The article concludes that human biological enhancements are not inherently different from other forms of enhancing technologies and that regulation of enhancement technologies remains a challenge.

Share

COinS
 

Archival Accessibility Statement

This item was created or digitized prior to May 1, 2026, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the Law Library provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.

 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.