Interesting thought.

I would say that it's definitely subject to different opinions on what is acceptable behavior. Who is to say what is right or wrong? I mean, there's the general belief of right from wrong, but some of the little things are subject to individual beliefs. If it were some set programming that everyone would be like a drone, I would say NO. I don't think that should be allowed. If it could be specified, within reason, for what a person would want their behavior to look like (ex- eat healthier, want to exercise more, more motivation, higher work ethic, greater social skills), then I might agree (but all of those changes in behavior are my own individual belief). See what I mean?

I don't know about jail inmates having their behaviors altered either b/c who knows what they're really thinking? You wouldn't know exactly how to program a new behavior b/c you don't actually know which behavior is causing them to commit crimes.

I guess, all in all, I don't agree with it. Definitely an interesting thought though.

I don't know. I think that special types of educating people would really help. I think that the American Education system really needs a huge tune up. Hands on education is just not done enough and in some classrooms nowadays, young ones cannot even use crayons (which, I mean, our society uses color in maps and for warnings, etc).

So, I guess that this would depend, my dear.

I DO think that working on one's weakness can assist in creating a more balanced brain. I also know that learning Chinese and learning musical stuff helps unite the right and left brain.

That's about all I know.

no

very interenting....& thats a no for me

very vague, sorry.

i would not opt to be perfect through an external, unnatural means.. i want the inner journey.. me and my creator and no interference.

i want to learn naturally through my own inner abilities.

i don't think it's right for us to consciously tamper with or to alter our dna in a way other than what is basic and natural ( having sex or whatever you want to call it )

not ethically right in my opinion unless reached through basic natural means, spiritually and independently without trying to impose oneself on others, must be done through pure love and reunite with true self, the creator and what is the creator's natural law.. and i think birth control is ok -- but i don't favor abortion... but who does, i do however, favor the right for the individual to chose what they do and believe if it does no harm to anyone else.. i believe in freewill and not infringing on other's rights to the degree it does no harm to others

i don't feel there is any need for technological advancement or linear intelligence until we develop our emotional selves and process our realties more with our hearts... we need to catch up with our technological and physical and spiritual abilities with our hearts,.. i don't see a need to race into external creations

i don't think it should be done,. but how am i going to control someone else or stop them from doing it, besides trying to meditate on a more down to earth and slower paced approach to human interaction humanitarianism and geopolitics and the environment.

I'm not talking about thought police. I mean an enhanced brain. Enhanced to the point were there would be no poor judgement and intelligence would meet it's full potential. For example we would all qualify for mensa.

A brain that is perfect. If we could all have a perfect functioning brain through some type of treatment is it ethical to administer this type of treatment?

As for education I think yes that could be improved also right now as it stands.

I think I agree with lionne about the journey part. That each person should learn what they learn, however they learn it, from their own experiences. I guess, if everyone used their full potential all of the time, then nothing would be extraordinary. Everything would just be.

It's interesting that people said they wouldn't tamper with nature yet we tamper with nature every day when we treat bi polar or even cancer. How about cars those certainly aren't natural!

At what level is tampering with nature wrong?

A criminal may have a brain so debilitated that the person is unable to change through their own "spiritual journey." The facts are that most people do not learn through doing jail time. It's a waist of time and teaches nothing.

Would you deny a criminal treatment if there was one?

Also what if there was a cure for mental retardation would you be for that?

If so then how is that any different from me enhancing my IQ to a mensa level?

I see your point, but this is a debate I won't indulge in b/c even if this was created, it would still be just a subject of debate.

You're right hanna

That's why I posted this to see where the lines might be drawn. Obviously every one's opinions will vary. I'm not trying to change their opinions just understand how they think and why.

I think it's interesting because I believe such a treatment is being worked on some where. The issue of negative behaviors being treatable is not a new one. Also the IQ thing is not new either.

Ethical issues like this come up all the time. Personally I hope to see how these historical events will unfold but they may not come to pass during our life time.

I don't know what perfect is so I can't say I'd want to be it

This surely is an ethical debate.. I would like to improve myself and my mind however trusting the methods and morals of the being/person whomever doing the improvement is another thing..
Would it come down to cloning the intellectuals of the world.. Hitler wanted a race of what he considered the perfect people....
It's all too scary for me.. There's too much evil out there.. but as others have said an interesting thought..

If there was a way to remove negative behaviors why would we be here then? I am under the belief we are here to learn lessons (lots of them) for without learning the lessons we get stuck here and dont move on to the next plateu

doorknob, I don't doubt that someone out there with a MENSA IQ is working on such a thing as we speak. I think, as with everything, it sounds ludicrous and crazy to think it will ever come to pass....AND, that IF it comes to pass, it will be a HUGE subject of debate (kinda like the gun control issue we're debating on today), it may happen, and perhaps some people will agree and some may not.

I think that every idea starts out as ludicrous though...remember that. Most geniuses were thought crazy, and have since changed our lives (discovery of electricity, radiation, internet). You may be our next genius. Who knows? I think if there were a way for people who suffer from mental retardation to learn as any other person does, that would be absolutely wonderful. But that's to treat an impairment, not to enhance someone of average intelligence.

I think the main goal of advancements is for people to lead "normal" lives. Not saying that an exceptional life would be a bad thing, but if everyone is special, then no one is. You get what I'm saying? So if some miracle med was made that treated mental retardation or cured or prevented cancer....I'd be all for it. But to enhance your brain to it's full potential, I think would be a mistake. Living life and learning things is part of just living in general. If you are given everything, then you have nothing new to know...like struggles that make you a stronger person for having been through it. I don't know. I think everyone needs to struggle at some things.

I'm rambling, but, like I said, it's an interesting thought. I'm usually very "on the fence" about everything, so I try to logic it out. If I enhanced my brain, I wouldn't be the "in between" person that can see more than 1 perspective. I kind of like that about myself. Am I making any sense? lol

You mean we'd be like the Master Race -- but without using any horrible methods to get there!!!!?

Yeah, sure!! What the hell!!!

I'd like to see everybody be as smart as possible!!!
(Wait a minute!!!! Do we get to be 'wise', too!!!?)

And if you could do something to 'erase' the evil out of people and it would be a guarantee that they would neither act nor wish to act in a harmful/negative way, great!!!