From the necessity of being human to the possibility of pursuing a good life: cognitive enhancement and the emergence of personhood

Throughout human history, cognition enhancement has not only been a constant, but also imperative for our species evolution and well-being. However, philosophical assumptions that enhancing cognition by biomedical means goes against some immutable human nature, combined with the lack of conclusive data about its use on healthy individuals and long-term effects, can sometimes result in prohibitive approaches. In this context, the authors seek to demonstrate that cognition enhancement, whether by “natural” or biotechnological means, is essential to the emergence of personhood, and to existence of an autonomous life that is guided by a person’s own conception of the good. In order to do so, the main possibilities of enhancing cognition through biotechnologies, along with its benefits and potentialities, as well as its risks and limitations, will be presented. Following Savulescu and Sandberg’s account on cognitive enhancement, it will be argued that it constitutes both a consumption good, being desirable and happiness-promoting to have well-functioning cognition, and a capital good that reduces risks, increases earning capacity, and forms a key part of human capital. Finally, having in mind that progress in the field of biotechnology aimed at cognition enhancement may improve a person’s (and society’s) well-being, the authors will argue that further research in the field is necessary, especially studies that takes into consideration dimensions such as dose, individual characteristics and task characteristics.

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Explosions and Human Health: The Long-Term Effects of Blast Injury

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x12000891 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 385-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sarah E. Finlay ◽

Michelle Earby ◽

David J. Baker ◽

Virginia S.G. Murray

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Blast Injury ◽

Mass Casualties ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Emergency Responders ◽

Response Strategies

AbstractThe immediate patterns of injury from explosions are well documented, from both military and civil experience. However, few studies have focused on less immediately apparent health consequences and latent effects of explosions in survivors, emergency responders and the surrounding community. This review aimed to analyze the risks to health following an explosion in a civil setting.A comprehensive review of the open literature was conducted, and data on 10 relevant military, civilian and industrial events were collected. Events were selected according to availability of published studies and involvement of large numbers of people injured. In addition, structured interviews with experts in the field were conducted, and existing national guidelines reviewed.The review revealed significant and potentially long-term health implications affecting various body systems and psychological well-being following exposure to an explosion. An awareness of the short- and long-term health effects of explosions is essential in screening for blast injuries, and identifying latent pathologies that could otherwise be overlooked in stressful situations with other visually distracting injuries and, often, mass casualties. Such knowledge would guide responsible medical staff in implementing early appropriate interventions to reduce the burden of long-term sequelae. Effective planning and response strategies would ensure accessibility of appropriate health care resources and evidence-based information in the aftermath of an explosion.Finlay SE, Earby M, Baker DJ, Murray VSG. Explosions and human health: the long-term effects of blast injury. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(4):1-7.

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The immediate effect of Sinapis nigra and Zingiber officinale as thermogenic substances during footbaths: A Randomized Controlled Cross-over Trial

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000521590 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jan Vagedes ◽

Silja Kuderer ◽

Eduard Helmert ◽

Katrin Vagedes ◽

Matthias Kohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Well Being ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Warm Water ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Stimulus Perception ◽

Late Evening ◽

Short And Long Term

Objective: Warm footbaths infused with Sinapis nigra (mustard, or MU) or Zingiber officinale (ginger, or GI) are used for various thermoregulatory conditions, but little is known about how they are perceived by individuals, both short- and long-term. We analyzed the immediate and long-term effects of MU and GI on warmth and stimulus perception in healthy adults. Methods: Seventeen individuals (mean age 22.1±2.4 years; 11 female) received three footbaths (mean temperature was 40 ± 0.2 ℃, administered between 1:30-6:30pm) in a randomized order with a cross-over design: 1. with warm water only (WA), 2. with warm water and MU and 3. with warm water and GI. Warmth and stimulus perception at the feet were assessed at the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th minute of the footbaths, in the late evening (EVE), and the following morning (MG). We further assessed well-being (at EVE and MG) and sleep quality (at MG). The primary outcome measure was the warmth perception at the feet at the 10th minute of the footbath. Results: At the 10th minute of the footbath, warmth perception at the feet was significantly higher with MU and GI compared to WA. The immediate thermogenic effects pointed to a quick increase in warmth and stimulus perception with MU, a slower increase with GI, and a gradual decrease with WA. Regarding the long-term effects, warmth and stimulus perception were still higher after GI compared to WA at EVE and MG. No differences were seen for general well-being and sleep quality. Conclusion: Thermogenic substances can significantly alter the dynamics of warmth and stimulus perception when added to footbaths. The different profiles in the application of GI and MU could be relevant for a more differentiated and specific use of both substances in different therapeutic indications.

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Evaluation of Six Family-Support Programs: Are They Effective?

Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services ◽

10.1606/1044-3894.1820 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 79 (2) ◽

pp. 134-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Edna W. Comer ◽

Mark W. Fraser

Keyword(s):

Family Support ◽

Parent Education ◽

Well Being ◽

Target Population ◽

Support Programs ◽

Evaluation Design ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Multiple Strategies ◽

Program Description

Family-support programs employ multiple strategies in an effort to strengthen families and promote the well-being of children. The multidimensionality of these programs—viewed by many experts as a strength—renders them particularly difficult to evaluate. As a result of this complexity, little information is available on the effectiveness of family-support programs. The authors examine outcome research from six family-support programs. Each of the programs was subjected to rigorous program evaluation. The findings from this research are summarized across six dimensions, including program description, intervention strategies, target population, evaluation design, outcome measures, and observed outcomes. Findings from these six programs suggests that there are positive outcomes for young children and their parents. The authors caution that too few studies that involve manualized interventions, and broad assessment over time of randomized groups have been conducted. In these six evaluations, however, program families demonstrated enhanced child, parent, and family functioning. Additionally, these programs appear to improve parent education and produce gains in both immediate and long-term effects on housing and income.

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The Long-Term Effects of Solitary Confinement From the Perspective of Inmates

The Prison Journal ◽

10.1177/00328855211060312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 101 (6) ◽

pp. 652-674

Author(s):

Liat Tayer ◽

Tomer Einat ◽

Anat Yaron Antar

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Behavioral Disorders ◽

Physical Aggression ◽

Well Being ◽

Solitary Confinement ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Health And Well Being ◽

Mental And Behavioral Disorders

This qualitative study analyzes the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners and the strategies used by them to cope with its difficulties. The findings indicate that solitary confinement is perceived as unfair and as intensifying hostile emotions and physical aggression, and that it is related to a range of long-term physiological, mental, and behavioral disorders. Three strategies are used to cope with the difficulties of solitary confinement: keeping to a ritualistic routine, a religious lifestyle, and physical exercise. We conclude that solitary confinement exacerbates the difficulties of detention and affects prisoners’ health and well-being for short and long terms.

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Breast Cancer during Pregnancy—Current Paradigms, Paths to Explore

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers11111669 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1669 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ayelet Alfasi ◽

Irit Ben-Aharon

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Well Being ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Lymph Node Biopsy ◽

Current Data ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Risk Benefit Assessment ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Breast cancer is the most common form of malignancy in pregnant women. The prevalence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is up to 0.04% of pregnancies and is expected to rise in developed countries. PABC represents a unique clinical scenario which requires a delicate balance of risks and benefits for both maternal and fetal well-being. Currently, there is paucity of data regarding the short- and long-term outcomes of in-utero exposure to anti-neoplastic agents. In general, when possible, treatment for PABC should follow the same guidelines as in non-pregnant patients. Surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, is possible during all trimesters of pregnancy. Radiotherapy is contraindicated during pregnancy, although it might be considered in highly selected patients based on risk–benefit assessment. Evidence supports that administration of chemotherapy may be safe during the second and third trimesters, with cessation of treatment three weeks prior to expected delivery. Currently, hormonal therapy and anti-HER2 agents are contraindicated during pregnancy and should be postponed until after delivery. Prematurity is associated with worse neonatal and long-term outcomes, and thus should be avoided. While current data on the long-term effects of anti-neoplastic treatments are reassuring, grade of evidence is lacking, hence additional large prospective studies with long-term follow-up are essential to rule out any treatment-induced adverse effects.

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Resilience and disaster research

Psihologijske teme ◽

10.31820/pt.28.3.4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 529-547

Author(s):

Helena Bakić

Keyword(s):

Disaster Preparedness ◽

Historical Context ◽

Well Being ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

The Individual

Disasters pose a significant threat to the long-term well-being of individuals, communities and societies. Therefore, studying resilience, defined as the process of maintaining and recovering psychological well-being after adversity, is crucial for disaster preparedness and mitigation. The aims of this paper are to summarize the historical context of resilience research, present the key concepts, discuss current measurement approaches and propose future research directions. Key determinants of resilience - risk, positive adaptation and resources - are discussed with the focus on studies of adults affected by disasters. This narrative review demonstrates that research up to date has focused mostly on finding the individual characteristics that predict the absence of psychopathology or mental health disorder symptoms, while other types of resources or dynamic relations between key aspects of resilience have been neglected. Future studies should aim to include multiple measurement points, high- and low-risk groups, long-term follow-up and broader perspectives on both psychological well-being and potential resources.

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