Abstract

The enhancement of human capacities through medical practice is becoming increasingly common and raises many ethical issues. One important question is whether it is even possible to distinguish between medical "treatment" and "enhancement." On the one hand, there are those who believe that the distinction is both impossible and meaningless; on the other hand, it seems necessary to draw such a distinction in order to determine which medical procedures are compatible with the proper goals of medicine. Other important ethical issues raised by medical enhancement procedures include balancing a patient's individual autonomy with the effects of these procedures on social equality and justice. This article argues that there is an urgent need for public debate and discussion on the ethical issues raised by medical enhancement procedures.

Keywords

• medical enhancement;
• enhancement technologies;
• ethical issues;
• treatment-enhancement distinction

• 의학적 증강;
• 증강 기술;
• 치료 이상;
• 윤리 쟁점;
• 치료-증강의 구분;