Brain Candy--Part 3

To my dismay, as I checked my email before posting my blog, I realized that several other students had blogged about the exact same issue. So, in addition to posting my blog below I’ll first comment on a few of my classmates’ thoughts--in order for my entry to appear less redundant.

I also believe there is a distinct difference between OTC remedies like caffeine and drugs like Adderall. These differences stem not only from the fact that one is more precise and therefore more effective than the other. In an excellent article by Erik Parens, “Is Better Always Good?” several bioethicists get together to discuss the ramifications of cognitive enhancements. They state that the difference lies in treating different means as morally the same. Not to get into a philosophical debate, but there are concerns that resorting to drugs to enhance ourselves, we are blinding ourselves to underlying problems in our society. For example, they compare administering Ritalin to hyperactive kids as opposed to decreasing class size. In some ways, forcing pills on kids who don’t learn in a typical classroom setting is ignoring the fact that there is something wrong with our education system.

In regards to the use of enhancements in sports, there is a similar line of thinking in banning its use in sports as well as in academics. The reason why we ban steroids is somewhat related to the value we place on winning. In an article in the Atlantic Monthly entitled, “The Case Against Perfection” by Michael Sandel, he states that the use of enhancements cheapens the game. If we win or get A’s simply because of the edge we get through steroids or Adderall, would we really feel as fulfilled and satisfied with the achievement? We as a society value achievement not only because of the hard work involved, but also because of the unique talents that allow get us to that level of achievement. If we are all placed on a level playing field through an array of enhancements, winning wouldn’t mean as much.

(Beginning of original blog entry) Now that we’re nearing the end of the semester, with the pressure of finals and research papers looming over us, many of us probably use energy drinks or extra cups of coffee to stay awake—or as a growing number of students prefer, take Ritalin or Adderall.

A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia found that almost twenty percent of college students have used Ritalin or Adderall to increase concentration and pull all-nighters. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/31/education/edlife/jacobs31.html

Ritalin or Adderall is easily obtainable through friends who are written prescriptions after claiming to have ADHD. These stimulants are now commonplace among college campuses. "Things have really gotten out of hand in the last four to five years," says Dr. Robert A. Winfield, director of University Health Service at the University of Michigan. "Students have become convinced that this will help them achieve academic success." "The culture here actually encourages people to use stimulants," remarked a student at Columbia.

Though relatively safe, and non-addictive, the Adderall could pose risks if combined with other drugs. However, those with heart problems should be cautious as the drug increases heart rate and disorientation, which can lead to sudden death. In fact, due to reports of twenty international deaths due to Adderrall, the Canadian government temporarily suspended sales of Adderall in 2005, as reported by the NYT.

Despite the health issue, off-label use of prescription stimulants in schools poses other serious problems involving fairness. Is it fair for some students to obtain an edge in concentration and perhaps even increase memory capacity and not others? If the effects are nominal than what explains the increasing prevalence among college students? As enhancements are banned in sports, should cognitive enhancements like Ritalin or Adderall be banned in universities? Like the sports enhancement debate, discussions around cognitive enhancement raise concerns of larger ethical questions regarding not only fairness and cheating but concerns of a competitive society that drives us to take drugs in order to get an edge over the next person.

Ellie