Is there a pill for that?

Have you heard about the scientists who want people to take pills to make them smarter? Martha Farah of the University of Pennsylvania says, "Almost everybody is going to want to use it," referring to brain-boosting pills in development as well as other pills (such as Ritalin, Adderal, and Provigil) already in use.

These scientists say that using these pills is no different than eating right or getting a good night's sleep. I beg to differ. Almost if not all of these drugs are addictive. They can be beneficial when used for their approved purposes, but I cannot believe that a nation of addicts will be a good thing. So why would supposedly smart people come up with such a harebrained idea? Well, at least some of them involved in the study are paid by the pharmaceutical industry. Just follow the money!

"Wider use of stimulants backed." The Dallas Morning News; December 9, 2008; p. 6A.