Human enhancement refers to the use of biotechnologies to alter the natural functions of the mind and body, aiming to improve performance and achieve goals beyond what is naturally possible. In Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness, Dr. Leon R. Kass argues this pursuit is driven by the desire to gain a competitive edge, climb social ranks, increase wealth, seek recognition, or fulfill personal aspirations by excelling in activities we enjoy.

The idea of “superior performance” can take many forms—whether it’s performing better than one’s past self, beating an opponent, or surpassing even the best-known standard. In this context, “superior” often means achieving more than what could be done naturally, through external means that offer an “extra edge” or “performance enhancement.”

Performance, in this sense, refers not only to the physical actions we take but also to the mental and emotional expressions of who we are. It encompasses everything from involuntary bodily functions to self-directed actions, such as walking, thinking, or exercising. Dr. Kass says:

“The idea of performance also suggests a relationship with other performers and spectators: performance before others, with others, and against others. Yet it is also possible to perform certain activities without others, on one’s own and for oneself, manifesting who we are for our own enjoyment… ‘Performance’ suggests … also the possibility of being or seeming to be something other than who and what we are.”

This last idea invites us to consider whether we are willing to transform ourselves in our quest for excellence—whether it involves reshaping our nature to achieve something beyond our natural limitations. The temptation, of course, lies in using performance-enhancing substances to achieve this goal. This raises the ethical dilemma: Is the use of such substances—specifically performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) like anabolic steroids—a “cheat” or an unfair shortcut that undermines true self-directed effort?

PEDs have been shown to improve physical performance—enhancing strength, endurance, appearance, and other attributes—by altering the body’s natural state. These substances effectively “reshape” us into something unnatural, making the performance seem superhuman, as though we have transcended our innate abilities. Dr. Kass addresses this concern, noting:

“In trying to achieve better bodies through muscle-enhancing agents, pharmacological or genetic, we are not in fact honoring our bodies or cultivating our individual gifts. We are instead … voting with our syringes to have a different body, with different native capabilities and powers.”

By using PEDs, athletes are replacing natural physical and mental gifts with artificial ones, setting new, “unnatural” standards of achievement. This drive to improve oneself through external means can be likened to undergoing cosmetic surgery to achieve an idealized version of oneself—striving to become someone else, someone “better” or “more perfect.”

In our quest for self-improvement, the line between striving for excellence and altering who we are becomes increasingly blurred. The question we must face is this: When we enhance or transform our bodies through substances that shift our natural abilities, are we still honoring our true selves? Or are we simply pursuing an idealized version of who we are not, attempting to become someone other than the person we were born to be?

With the issues surrounding steroid abuse today, Dr. Kass warns:

“[T]he very ends we desire might become divorced from any idea of what is humanly superior, and therefore, humanly worth seeking or admiring. We would become a society of spectators, and our activities a mere spectacle. Or a society of parasites, needing and taking, but never doing or acting. Worse of all, we would be in danger of turning our would-be heroes into slaves, persons who exist to entertain us and meet our standards and whose freedom to pursue excellence has been shackled by the need to perform—and conform—for our amusement and applause.”

Today, the public often serves as an audience to the athletes and influencers who represent a distorted vision of human achievement—one that prioritizes larger, faster, stronger, and more extreme appearances at the expense of what genuine excellence represents: the authentic product of personal effort, discipline, and self-determined growth.

As society increasingly glorifies artificially enhanced physiques and performances, we risk losing the distinction between real excellence and the counterfeit version driven by chemical enhancements. This obsession with appearance over substance is even evident in how we are drawn to these figures—often not questioning how they achieve their extraordinary feats, but simply celebrating the results, no matter how they are obtained.

Strength—whether in athletic competition or casual fitness—has become an obsession, particularly because performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) often go undetected and unchallenged. For many, PEDs provide a less scrutinized route to achieving “superior” strength, bypassing the discipline of natural training. This false strength, amplified by PEDs, is celebrated in both competitive and non-competitive spaces, generating billions in the drug and sport industries. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts claim to be “natural” when in fact they rely on unnatural means to perform beyond their true capabilities—a practice that misleads the public and distorts the reality of athletic achievement.

This trend extends to the use of lifting gear and suits that artificially aid in lifting weight far beyond a person’s natural capacity. These feats often result in new “world records,” but the truth is that these records are not born of pure effort. They are products of external assistance, distorting what it means to truly achieve something through one’s own, raw strength.

Appearance, too, has become an obsession—particularly the idea of a “perfect” body. Female athletes and influencers often claim that their shapely, sculpted physiques, particularly larger, rounder buttocks, are the result of dedicated workouts. In reality, many of these transformations are not due to exercise alone but rather to cosmetic procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs). Their images serve as the currency of social media, fueling financial success by promoting a distorted version of beauty and fitness that attracts thousands or even millions of followers.

Similarly, many men enhance their physiques by injecting substances like synthol to artificially inflate their muscles, creating the illusion of larger, more balanced bodies. These “fake” muscles—along with the use of exaggerated weight plates that make lifting look more impressive—contribute to the culture of deception that runs rampant on social media. People often fall victim to these illusions, believing they are witnessing genuine strength and achievement when in fact they are being shown curated, altered realities.

The prevalence of such deception raises an important question: What is the true value of these “fake” achievements? What does one do with fake strength, fake records, fake bodies, or fake images? They serve only to deceive others into believing they are witnessing something authentic. Unlike the books one might keep on a shelf to enrich their knowledge and deepen their understanding of life, these false representations serve no purpose beyond financial gain or the satisfaction of feeding into a system of superficiality.

Athletes, influencers, and individuals who pursue fake perfection in this way are not seeking to better themselves, but rather to manipulate public perception and gain financial rewards through deception. These “fake naturals” don’t seek to improve through hard work and self-discipline, but through the manipulation of their bodies and images to meet external standards that are entirely constructed.

Ultimately, this is a reflection of a larger societal issue—the distortion of values that emphasize appearance, fame, and monetary gain over authentic achievement. Just as Dr. Kass warned, we may find ourselves living in a world where the pursuit of excellence has been replaced by the pursuit of spectacle. The danger lies in not recognizing the difference between what is real and what is false, and in becoming complicit in a system that rewards illusion over truth. As we continue to chase these “fake” ideals, we must ask ourselves: what is the true purpose of achievement, and at what cost are we willing to pursue it?

The pursuit of human enhancement through biotechnologies and performance-enhancing substances reflects a growing societal trend to prioritize appearances and external validation over true personal growth and achievement. While these shortcuts may offer temporary success, they ultimately undermine the essence of genuine self-improvement—the result of effort, discipline, and authentic talent.

As we increasingly celebrate artificial standards of excellence, we risk losing sight of the deeper values that define real success: hard work, resilience, and the development of one’s innate abilities. The pursuit of perfection, when distorted by deception and artificial enhancement, may not only harm the individual but also degrade the meaning of achievement itself, turning it into a spectacle rather than a testament to human potential.

In this age of instant gratification and visual appeal, it is essential to reflect on the true purpose of excellence and whether it is worth sacrificing our authenticity for a fleeting and illusory ideal.