Scientists have created a pill that can erase unwanted memories. Dutch researchers claim to have erased terrible memories using a beta blocker drug in experiments on humans. The drug interrupts the brain's memory formation and storage of frightening events. In one experiment, volunteers who were shown frightening images and given a shock were later calmer when shown the images again if they had received the beta blocker compared to a placebo. However, some experts argue that erasing memories could damage human identity and psychology since memories shape who we are. There are also concerns about ensuring the right memories are erased and whether effects of the drug would be permanent.

1. Ashley Toups
HLST 3001-43252
Ethical Controversy
October 7, 2014
Pill to erase bad memories: Ethical furor over drugs 'that threaten human identity'
Scientists have created a pill that can erase unwanted memories (Derbyshire, 2009). Experts
say erasing memories could cause “damaging psychological consequences” (Derbyshire, 2009).
Those who would take the pill to erase their memories will not be able to learn from their
mistakes (Derbyshire, 2009). Scientists have created this drug to help those who “suffer from
post-traumatic stress disorder and those whose lives are plagued by hurtful recurring memories”
(Derbyshire, 2009).
Dutch researchers have claimed that they have erased terrible memories with a “beta blocker”
drug that is prescribed for patients that have heart disease (Derbyshire, 2009). Experiments on
animals have shown that the drug – “beta-adrenergic receptor blockers” – can interrupt the way
the brain makes and stores memories of “frightening events”, therefore erasing memories
(Derbyshire, 2009). Dr. Merel Kindt of Amsterdam University conducted an experiment with the
beta blocker pill (Derbyshire, 2009). He gathered 60 men and women volunteers and split them
into two groups (Derbyshire, 2009). Then each group was shown pictures of spiders and given a
slight electrical shock (Derbyshire, 2009). Each group was told to remember the images in order
to create a negative impression “between spiders and discomfort” (Derbyshire, 2009). The next
day one group was given the beta blocker drug and the other was given a placebo (Derbyshire,
2009). Then each group was shown the same spider pictures as the day before and researchers
would play sudden noises in their ears (Derbyshire, 2009). The researchers recorded which ones

2. blinked the strongest (Derbyshire, 2009). The stronger the volunteer blinked the more fearful
they were, and the weaker the blink the calmer they were (Derbyshire, 2009). They found that
the ones given the beta blocker drug were calmer than the ones that were given the placebo
(Derbyshire, 2009). A day later, when the beta blocker drug was out of the volunteers’ systems,
they were tested again and the ones that were given the beta blocker the previous day still
seemed calmer (Derbyshire, 2009). The researchers concluded that the beta blocker drug
completely erased the memory (Derbyshire, 2009). “Dr Kindt said, 'Traditionally, therapists seek
to teach people with such disorders strategies to build new associations and block bad memories
but the problem is the memories remain and people often relapse'” (Derbyshire, 2009).
This controversy raises the ethical question, “What makes us human?” (Derbyshire, 2009).
Dr. Daniel Sokol teaches medical ethics at St. George’s, University of London and this is his
opinion on the matter:
Removing bad memories is not like removing a wart or a mole. It will change our
personal identity since who we are is linked to our memories. It may perhaps be
beneficial in some cases, but before eradicating memories, we must reflect on the knock-on
effects that this will have on individuals, society and our sense of humanity
(Derbyshire, 2009).
The ethical principles involved are nonmaleficence and beneficence. This drug could be
beneficial to people who have phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessions, eating
disorders, and other painful memories they want to get rid of. The disadvantage of this drug is
that it could ruin what makes a person that person, and could damage that person psychologically
(Derbyshire, 2009).

3. I personally believe this memory erasing drug is a bad idea for the most part. Is it possible this
drug might lead to mental diseases like Alzheimer’s? How do we know the drug will erase the
right memories? Will the memory erased be permanent or is there a way to retrieve the memory?
Even though many of us would like to forget or “erase” memories of our mistakes, we need to
remember our mistakes to help us grow and learn. We can even help and teach others through
learning from our mistakes. I like to think of the mind as a history book. We have history books
about the world, people’s lives, our country, and many more. If we do not learn the history and
learn from their mistakes, we are destined to repeat them. Our mind writes and stores the events
of our lives whether they are good or bad. If an individual decides to take this drug to forget a
mistake he or she will more than likely repeat the mistake. This could turn into a vicious cycle of
making mistakes, erasing them, then repeating the mistake again to erase it again. I also believe
we are becoming too obsessed with taking the fastest and easiest way out of something. For
instance, someone getting liposuction instead of taking the time to exercise and diet. Sure
exercising and dieting may be harder and take a longer time, but I think one would feel much
more accomplished than if they just went through liposuction. So someone that has a phobia or
post-traumatic stress disorder may just take the easy, fast drug than to go through the hard, long
therapy. I also believe there is one exception. If the memory the person has will make him or her
a danger to others or himself or herself, and therapy or anything else will not work, then he or
she should take the pill. Only use the drug as a very last, emergency resort. Now think of your
worst memory. Would you take the drug to erase it?
Reference:

4. Derbyshire, D. (2009). Pill to erase bad memories: Ethical furor over drugs 'that threaten human
identity'. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-
1145777/Pill-erase-bad-memories-Ethical-furore-drugs-threaten-human-identity.html