title: Changing Memories: Between Ethics and Speculation.
abstract: Over the past decade, a debate has emerged between those who believe that memory-modulating technologies are inherently dangerous and need to be regulated and those who believe these technologies present minimal risk and thus view concerns about their use as far-fetched and alarmist. This article tackles three questions central to this debate: (1) Do these technologies jeopardize personhood? (2) Are the risks of these technologies acceptable? (3) Do these technologies require special regulation or oversight? Although concerns about the unethical use of memory-modulating technologies are legitimate, these concerns should not override the responsible use of memory-modulating technologies in clinical contexts. Accordingly, we call for careful comparative analysis of their use on a case-by-case basis.
authors.affiliation: Full research professor and the director of the Neuroethics Research Unit at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal with cross-appointments at the Université de Montréal and McGill University, and author of Pragmatic Neuroethics: Improving Treatment and Understanding of the Mind-Brain.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Racine
authors.affiliation: Postdoctoral researcher at the Neuroethics Research Unit of the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Affleck
mesh_terms: D026688:Bioethical Issues; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000066494:Cognitive Neuroscience / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D028723:Personhood; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012926:Social Control, Formal