Memory Modification and Ethical Implication

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Human civilization’s greatest talent is our drive for curiosity but it is also our greatest downfall. Nuclear fusion is a great example of this; it was discovered hydrogen nuclei can react with other hydrogen nuclei, which became the basis for the nuclear bomb. Dr. Joseph Vukov is a brilliant professor who came and talked to us about memory modification techniques, it’s ethical implications, and what the future holds for this life changing procedure. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), deep brain stimulation, and psychopharmaceuticals can give humans better control over their perceptions and their overall being. New developments are being made in memory modification techniques in order to get in and delete a memory that once caused the individual heartache and inexplicable traumatic episodes.

Molecularly, an enzyme has been uncovered by researchers that shows the strengthening of learning when enzyme presence is enhanced and weakening of learning when enzyme presence is blocked. An isoform of protein kinase C called “protein kinase M zeta” (PKMzeta) is the miracle memory molecule in question when discussing modification and enhanced recall of memories. Another way to selectively erase and modify memories is through the use of optogenetics, which uses light to manipulate nerve cells that have been sensitized to light. Researchers were able to neutralize or re-associate negative memories with positive emotions to “rewire” the brain’s notion of that specific memory.

But what would it be like to wake up one morning and have your family or work life erased from your memory. Those core pieces of your identity make you who you are and if someone were to remove those memories, you would not feel as yourself. This is where the ethical portion of memory modification comes into play. Memories are evidence for things that have taken place and if you cannot recall an event that is of importance, your self-credibility is lowered. If you were a witness to a crime and the bad guys modify your recollection of the event, you may unintentionally help the robbers become acquitted of their crimes. If we create a technology that modifies the inner workings of our mind, there needs to be a mark or some type of tag attached to neurons in order for the individual and other to recognize these memories have been changed.

On a positive note, memory modification can help many patients suffering from neurological problems and episodes of terror from past events. Acute onset flashbacks and night terrors due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are very common in soldiers that have experienced life changing events such as a death or war. “I wish I could forget”, it’s such a haunting phrase when you realize how much someone would have to suffer to utter those words. To wish to block out a certain portion of their life because the memories bring too much pain is unfathomable.  Having the ability to erase those memories from the soldier would allow them to accommodate quicker to civilian life and have less instances of traumatic episodes.

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             Memory modification techniques can prove essential to our next leap as a society but we need to realize the value of a good life. If we can evaluate what a good life means, we will ethically understand the power of this modification technique. If we understand the nature and use for memory modification, this breakthrough would allow for the treatment of psychological diseases and may ultimately even lead to a breakthrough in the psychotherapy field. The overall health of humans would vastly be improved because we will be able to explore the inner workings of our minds as well as already being able to treat most physical disabilities. Let’s avoid another nuclear bomb event and create ethical rules before introducing memory modification techniques to the general public.

Bibliography

Glanzman, David L. “PKM and the Maintenance of Memory.” F1000 Biology Reports 5 (2013): 4. PMC. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

TEDxTalks. "Altering What We Remember and Forget with Neuro Technology | S. Matthew Liao | TEDxCERN." YouTube. TedX, 30 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Dec. 2016.