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The common use of memory manipulation as a literary device taken in conjunction with emerging neurotechnologies makes the exploration of the meaning of memory (and its modification) extremely relevant to the present day.
I always find it funny when those who have had a charmed life comment on those who have not. Specifically I am referring to the last line of the article where it says that people may not like to remember for purely cosmetic reasons.
What those who have had a charmed life do not understand is that is that these memories may be debilitating to the person, even to the point of curtailing their ability to lead a 'normal' healthy life. Many of these people would give there arm to simply not remember, but I can already hear objectors going "but there is always therapy". Well imagine if you will that I lock you in room away from everyone else and the only way out is to be tortured, beaten and humiliated for months on end.
This is what therapy can feel like for someone who is debilitated by their memories, I can say this from personal experience. In this situation would it be ethical to place someone through pain and suffering for months on end just to satisfy someone else's prejudices about new technologies?
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The IEET is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization registered in the State of Connecticut in the United States.
Contact: Executive Director, Dr. James J. Hughes,
Williams 119, Trinity College, 300 Summit St., Hartford CT
06106 USA
Email: director @ ieet.org phone:
860-297-2376
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