Bioethics-Memory Enhancement & Suppression

Memory suppression has practical implications. If someone experienced a traumatizing experience, one that made their life extremely difficult to live, memory suppression would be release from unnecessary pain. On a more serious note, it can help with Alzheimer’s the famous memory destroying disease.

Details

Scientists are looking into a way to suppress memories and enhance others through drugs created through biotechnology.By doing this, however, it creates another more commercial factor: the improvement of memory for average, disease or trauma free people. It is desirable to have a better memory. And while there is no such thing as a perfect memory, it helps greatly in everyday life, enhancing intelligence. For example, it is advantageous to possess a good memory on tests, like those in a school setting. However, this can greatly alter the way we normally act as humans.

It is possible that any drug that suppresses memories can be abused in numerous ways. A person can take it like some sort of an escape from their problems; perhaps develop an addiction to it. Or, a rapist could force it on their victim so that their story does not seem credible, or they don’t remember at all.

References

    The President’s Council on Bioethics. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2004, from http://bioethics.gov

Guided Tour   

< Back -     - Next >