The Price of Intelligence
By: Cordelia de la Fuente, Neuroscience student and ih Founder
Imagine a future where intelligence isn’t earned through hard work and education, but bought like a product off the shelf. As neuroscience and biotechnology push the limits of what’s possible, cognitive enhancement is no longer science fiction, it’s becoming a reality.
Cognitive enhancement holds immense potential, but without transparency and ethical considerations, it risks becoming a tool of inequality rather than empowerment. The media’s failure to accurately address the power of the biotechnology industry, gives rise to uninformed populations and unequal distribution.
It is no secret that the intersection of neuroscience and technology has already begun to transform medicine. Companies like Elon Musk’s Neuralink are developing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that allow quadriplegics to control devices with their brains. Medtronic’s neurostimulation therapies help manage neurological disorders, and CRISPR gene editing tools hold the potential to correct inherited conditions. Meanwhile, companies like Kernel are advancing non-invasive brain imaging, accelerating treatment discovery for neurological diseases. Humans are finally unlocking the secrets of the mind, driving breakthroughs that are reshaping the future permanently. These advancements are no longer restrained to laboratory trials, but rather quickly being incorporated into everyday life.
History shows that medical advancements often begin as luxuries before becoming widely accessible.
But what happens when intelligence itself becomes a commodity? Right now, the most cutting-edge cognitive enhancement therapies come with a (very) high price tag, limiting access to the wealthy. If intelligence augmentation is monopolized by those who can afford it, we risk deepening socio-economic divides to a point of no return, creating a world where success is no longer merit-based but biologically enhanced for the privileged few. A future where only the elite can afford superior cognitive abilities is a dangerous one.
This issue is not theoretical. Socioeconomic status (SES) already plays a fundamental role in brain development. Factors like early childhood, education, nutrition, and mental stimulation shape cognitive abilities long before advanced brain-enhancement technologies entered the picture. If we are not careful, these innovations will only widen the existing gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. Without proactive ethical considerations, we risk solidifying a future where money dictates success.
While capping the prices of these technologies may not be the most practical solution, ethical committees and independent organizations are needed. Public access to clear, digestible information is necessary to break down the science behind these biological mechanisms and avoid being deceived by advertisement tactics. Platforms like Inside Health, WebMD, and PubMed among others play a crucial role in breaking down complex neuroscience into accessible insights.
As technology continues to advance, it is important to emphasize how cognitive improvement does not need to be an exclusive luxury. Natural, evidence-based strategies such as a stimulating environment, proper nutrition, exercise, and lifelong learning still remain the most powerful methods for brain optimization. The neuroscience behind everyday activities: meditation for focus, exercise for neurogenesis, and a nutrient-rich diet for cognitive support, should not be overshadowed by expensive technological interventions.
As someone deeply invested in the future of neuroscience and its impact on society, I urge policymakers, scientists, and the public to engage in this conversation before innovation outpaces ethical responsibility. Neuromedicine is moving in the right direction, but it must be accompanied by transparency, regulation, and widespread education. The future of neuroscience is bright, but it must be done right.
