Publications

HFM-181 Symposium on Human Performance Enhancement for NATO Military Operations (Science, Technology and Ethics) was held in Sofia, Bulgaria from 5 through 7 October. The Chairs of the meeting were Col. Karl Friedl (USA) and Dr. Pang Shek (CAN). Participants represented a broad range of allied, partnered and affiliated countries presenting on a range of topics in the area of human performance optimization and enhancement. Theoretical possibilities and associated bioethical issues in inducing supra-normal abilities in human performance in NATO military settings were explored. However, all active research programs presented were concerned with optimizing health and performance, weighing operational reality with the need to protect long-term physical and mental well-being. Bioethical boundaries for enhancement technologies were suggested. However, given the judicial complexity of the ethical debate a more pragmatic option of “due diligence” was recommended. That is, to mitigate circumstances that lead to ethical dilemma, a goal of military operational performance research should be to provide commanders with options for “due diligence” in deciding to authorize performance-sustaining or enhancing technologies that risks long-term health and fitness of service members.