Posted by gardenergirl on April 3, 2004, at 12:38:46
Interesting idea, and definite ethical dilemma. What do you think?
gg
A long article in tomorrow's New York Times Magazine discusses the
extensive
research programs exploring the use of drugs and other means to alter
memories, particularly painful memories.The article does devote a few passages to concerns about the potential
downsides or unintended consequences of such strategies as giving
memory-blocking drugs to everyone coming to an e.r. because of trauma.
The
author includes such quotes from others as: "Changing the content of
our
memories or altering their emotional tonalities, however desirable to
alleviate guilty or painful consciousness, could subtly reshape who we
are.... Distress, anxiety and sorrow [are] appropriate reflections of
the
fragility of human life." Another quote notes that painful memories
are
"where a lot of empathy comes from.... That is, when we have an
embarrassing experience, we develop empathy for others who have a
similar
experience."But most of the article discusses the success that scientists are
achieving
along these lines and the positive effects that are anticipated from
scientific and medical control of memories.The article ends by describing as "twisted" notion of any society that
would
not pursue these methods of altering memories: "Without witnessing the
torment of unremitting post-traumatic stress disorder, it is easy to
exaggerate the benefits of holding on to bitter memories. But a person
crippled by memories is a diminished person; there is nothing ennobling
about it. If we as a society decide it's better to keep people locked
in
their anguish because of some idealized view of what it means to be
human,
we might be revealing ourselves to be a society with a twisted notion
of
what being human really means."The article -- "The Quest to Forget" by Robin Henig -- is online at
<http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/04/magazine/04MEMORY.html>;.
poster:gardenergirl
thread:332099
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040402/msgs/332099.html