What was once just an option available to two former lovers in the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, memory eradication could well be waiting just around the corner if recent neuroscience research is anything to go by.
According to a recent Dutch study reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience, scientists could be one step closer to creating a pill which would erase bad memories. The basis for this study stems from studies carried out on animals where it has been found that fear memories can be changed when recalled, in a process referred to as reconsolidation. Consequently, when a certain painful memory is recalled it could be ‘reprogrammed’ or ‘reconfigured’, put back into storage so that the next time the memory is recalled it is less painful.
The study
Using propranolol (better known as beta-blockers), Merel Kindt and her colleagues from the University of Amsterdam found that terror could be removed from memories. Their research consisted of taking a group of volunteers and teaching them to associate pictures of spiders with a mild shock, which in turn caused an association to be established between the pictures and fear. The level of fear which they experienced when they encountered various startling stimuli was then measured. In the proceeding days of the study, each volunteer was either given a dose of propranolol or a placebo. They were then exposed to the stimuli once again. On the third day, the level of fear experienced by each volunteer was measured once more. Those who had been given a dosage of propranolol showed much less fear in contrast to those who had been given the placebo. Moreover, on being shown the spider pictures again, those who had been administered the propranolol did not show signs of the fear response returning. This would appear to indicate that the fear memory had been fully obliterated.
In response, Professor Neil Burgess, of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (UK) says that the widespread availability of memory eradication is still a long way off. He comments, "All they've shown so far is that the increased ability to startle someone if they are feeling a bit anxious is reduced" [1].
Nevertheless, the study does provide fresh hope for finding a long-term cure to help those who suffer from emotional disorders. Furthermore, it compliments previous research using propranolol in attempts to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in trauma victims such as those who have been involved in a serious car accident. In and of itself, if this latest study by the Dutch team promises a way of providing assistance and care to those suffering from PTSD I doubt very many people will be critical of it. However, if the findings are considered as a sign post pointing to where this could take us into the future, significant ethical and social concerns will undoubtedly come to the surface.
The spotless mind: ethical & social concerns for the future
In the 2004 movie, Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind, characters Joel Barish (played by Jim Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (played by Kate Winslet) meet each other in New York and subsequently fall in love. However, two years into their relationship, they fall out of love for each other. Clementine discovers the services of Lacuna, Inc., a firm that claims to be able to erase all specific memories from a person's mind. Clementine opts to have Lacuna erase Joel from her mind, handing over all of her possessions relating to their romance. How likely is it that this could be reality?
Identity
First, there are concerns over whether or not possessing the ability to change our memories will effect who we are. How much do our memories shape who we are? How much is our identity influenced and shaped by our memories? By changing the memories we possess we risk changing who we think we are, what we have done in life and what we wish to achieve in the future in relation to the past.
The rebuttal to such an argument is that identity and memory is far more fluid than what we first think. We all at some stage forget certain details, whether it’s the name of the long lost school friend or where we have left the car keys. For those of us who are particularly prone to forgetfulness, there still remains a degree of identity stability. Dr. Anders Sandberg argues that we do not remember how things actually were, but rather reconstruct events based on current emotions, knowledge and personality. It would appear that many of our reminiscences are not that truthful even when we think they are. Research seemingly demonstrates that it is surprisingly easy to induce false memories, even of extreme events, and that this may occur accidentally. Thus, rather than see the possibility of memory erasing as something to be feared, it could be viewed as simply something which we already do and thus something to assist us in what transhumanists perceive as our natural, human evolutionary process.
Moreover, in certain instances possessing the capabilities of changing identity may be more helpful than preserving identity. Take for example the terrorist or serial rape killer. Being able to eradicate this perverse identity in favour of keeping the person imprisoned for the rest of their lives may appear to provide a more humane alternative.
Photoshop editing?
Moulding and reshaping identity therefore appears to be something that we already do. Just stop and think of those we aspire to be like, to emulate, and to learn from as they bravely overcome trials, failures and disappointments to become a better person. Surely this very act points to a form of identity reshaping? However true this may be though, does it not point to something deeper; something more than memory editing? Is it not through the process of overcoming the obstacle – whatever that may be – that the person’s identity is changed and not just a ‘Photoshop’ style edit? Moreover, certain memories of the past help to explicitly and implicitly shape and form our response to similar situation we face in the future. If memories became something we edit and remove could we rob ourselves of valuable opportunities from which we learn how to react in the future? Rather like having a library from which books are removed and never replaced, our reference material would be greatly diminished.
Wider social context
Turning to a wider social context, memories and experience are clearly not forged in isolation but in relationship with others. What would be the implications of memory eradication be on those around us? In the case of the serial rape killer and his victim, being able to edit her memory so that her memory of the experience is less horrific would no doubt be welcomed by both the victim and those around her who love her. However the implication may well be that in the case of the victim she would not see the need to extend forgiveness to her attacker – what has he done to me?
Alternatively, she may extend forgiveness but too far easily. Would it be true forgiveness if she is unable to comprehend the extent and severity of the crime? Forgiveness involves feeling and emotion in order to overcome the indignation we feel in order to do what we feel is morally right. Likewise her attacker may develop a distinct lack of appreciation for the severity of the crime that he has committed. Far from creating a better society, memory editing could lead us into a society lacking remorse and a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. Whilst it could be argued that leaving a rape victim to suffer just so she can fully hate her rapist seems perverse, is not the greater good for both individual and society found in the process of forgiveness and reconciliation?
Moreover, editing the memory of one person may bring benefit to the individual but the rest of society will still remember it. How do we deal with this kind of situation? What emerges appears to be an issue of maintaining and preserving truth within the public square. As Sandberg conjectures, maybe ensuring that our societal memories are truthful is a far more serious moral challenge than editing our own memories.
Evidence for others
In a similar vein, our memory of an event may well serve as evidence for others around us. For example, within recent days David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party and his wife Samantha, experienced the tragic loss of their 6-year old son, Ivan, who had suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy. Media reports abound as to the lasting effect Ivan’s condition has had on the Cameron family’s response to disability with some reports even indicating an influence on contemporary Conservative party health policy. No doubt at points, the pain and anguish of their child’s condition may well have led the Camerons’ to think of ways in which to remove the memory and the pain. However, as a result of them sharing their experience and memories of living with disability, the memories have taken on a deeper and richer significance as they have been shared with others. Thus, in cases where memories may not be as traumatic as in other situations, it is important for the sake of others that we remember them. As Professor Maureen Junker-Kenny comments, our dignity is found in our shared vulnerability not in pretending to be masters.
Correct application
Correctly applying the use of memory modifying technologies (MMTs) clearly necessitates a full understanding of the role of memories in a person’s life. Rather than put forward broad generalisations on this role, it needs to be assessed on the needs of each individual. Much like other enhancement technologies, the application of what some have termed value rationality (what is the good life?) needs to be applied for each individual and the role of memory in that individual. Memory for a rape victim will clearly be more poignant than for the person who has unpleasant memories of being forced to eat Brussels sprouts as a child.
There are no obvious answers to these questions but that should be no excuse for prohibiting the use of MMTs. These technologies could well help to enrich our lives further by clarifying the memories which make us who we really are or helping to ease the pain of episodes of extreme trauma. It is these questions related to memory and truth which will require further and wider discussion before the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind becomes a reality.
[1] The Daily Mail 2009, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1145777/Pill-erase-bad-memories-Ethical-furore-drugs-threaten-human-identity.html
