Article Response: Towards responsible use of cognitive enhancing drugs by the healthy

The use of cognitive enhancing drugs in healthy individuals could be extremely dangerous for many of the reasons mentioned in the article. The risks and unknown factors outweigh the benefits of having the ability to use Ritalin and Adderall as cognitive enhancement drugs. While innovation is extremely important in the world of medicine and biotechnology it is extremely important to consider the risks of using medication off label. Drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall have undergone numerous clinical trials for safety and efficacy for patients diagnosed with ADHD. However these trials were looking for specific reactions of the drug based upon the determined indication. While these drugs may have shown efficacy with regard to cognitive enhancement, a great deal of additional research has to occur to prescribe them for ADHD. While cognitive enhancement is important it should never replace hard work, studying and preparation. Everyone is always looking for a “quick fix”. People are waiting for the day when a single pill can completely replace diet and exercise. People want to lose weight but they do not desire to work hard to obtain their goals. Using cogitative enhancement drugs would create a similar approach to achieving stellar career and educational objectives. There should not be a substitution for committing long hours to studying. The ethical reasons are extremely important as well. I have spent many years researching disparities. Although it was suggested that a policy be established to ensure equality in regards to distribution. Making cognitive enhancement drugs legal would exacerbate the already extremely large education chasm that already exists in regard to people of different socioeconomic status. People who do not have resources would not have the ability to obtain these drugs before a big test or exam. Has anyone considered whether access would be an issue? Would people have to have access to health insurance to obtain this prescribed medication before a test? If not and the drugs are issued without the supervision of a physician how will the patients health be evaluated to eliminate an adverse reaction occurrence. There are just so many risk factors that would not have been considered when these drugs were put on the market to treat ADHD. Another concern is the abuse of cognitive enhancement drugs. If people believe that these drugs will ultimately make these more successful, the likelihood of abuse increases. What would prevent a student who is already stressed preparing for SAT, GRE or GMAT exams from overusing these drugs thinking the more they consume the better that they will do on their exam. While performance enhancement drugs are illegal in regard to competitive sports the same should be true for academic competition. Students are competing for grades, honor status, and top academic honors. These awards should be rewarded to the student who has been the most disciplined and dedicated to their academic careers. The same should be the standard in industry; those who work the hardest and are most efficient should receive the promotions and affluent positions.