The Difference Between Medical Treatments and Enhancements

🧠Deep brain stimulation and other medical treatments aim to cure health problems and improve patients' well-being.

💪Enhancements go beyond treating health issues and target improving human abilities beyond normal functioning.

🏥Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery can serve as both medical treatments and enhancements, depending on the purpose.

🤔Opponents question the wisdom and ethics of invasive modifications to human functioning, while transhumanists advocate embracing advancements as the next step in human evolution.

⚖️Understanding the difference between medical treatments and enhancements is important in evaluating the potential impact on human health and society.

What is the difference between a medical treatment and an enhancement?

—Medical treatments are interventions intended to cure health problems, while enhancements aim to upgrade human abilities beyond normal functioning.

Can medical treatments be considered enhancements?

—Medical treatments can be considered enhancements if they go beyond simply restoring health and improve human abilities.

Are cosmetic surgeries medical treatments or enhancements?

—Cosmetic surgeries can serve as both medical treatments and enhancements, depending on whether they are correcting disfigurements or enhancing appearance.

What do transhumanists advocate?

—Transhumanists advocate embracing medical technologies that go beyond treating illnesses and aim to enhance human capabilities.

Why is the distinction between medical treatments and enhancements important?

—Understanding the difference helps us evaluate the impact of technological advancements on human health and society.

00:00Introduction to the difference between medical treatments and enhancements.

00:15Explanation of deep brain stimulation as a medical treatment for Parkinson's disease and other conditions.

00:39Deep brain stimulation in the context of medical treatment technologies.

01:22Examples of enhancements using technology and tools to improve bodies and abilities.

02:28Transhumanists' belief in embracing advancements as the next step in human evolution.

03:44Distinction between medical treatments and enhancements using cosmetic surgery as an example.

03:55Definition of treatments as responses to health problems and enhancements as upgrades.

04:13Challenges in envisioning a world of extensive technological enhancements.