Personality and Authenticity in Light of the Memory-Modifying Potential of Optogenetics

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in research concerning memory modification technologies (MMTs) in recent years. Neuroscientists and psychologists are beginning to explore the prospect of controllable and intentional modification of human memory. One of the technologies with the greatest potential to this end is optogenetics-an invasive neuromodulation technique involving the use of light to control the activity of individual brain cells. It has recently shown the potential to modify specific long-term memories in animal models in ways not yet possible with other MMTs. As the therapeutic potential of optogenetics has already prompted approval of the first human trials, it is especially important and timely to consider the opportunities and dangers this technology may entail. In this article, we focus on possible consequences of optogenetics as an MMT by analyzing fundamental threats potentially associated with memory modifications: the potential disruption of personality and authenticity.

Restoring vision using optogenetics without being blind to the risks

“…of neurological and conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Parkinson's disease (PD), addiction, schizophrenia, autism, and depression. There are ongoing ethical debates about which population is best targeted for optogenetics [2,3], usage for memory modification [4][5][6][7], and whether some ethical concerns linked to testing optogenetics in humans belong to the realm of speculative ethics [4,8,9].…”

Dimensions of the Threat to the Self Posed by Deep Brain Stimulation: Personal Identity, Authenticity, and Autonomy

“…55 Stahl, Cabrera, Gibb (2018). 56 More recently, the potential of another neurotechnology, i.e., the memory-modifying potential of optogenetics, has prompted neuroethicists to discuss non-traditional risks also in the context of possible future use of optogenetics (see : Adamczyk, Zawadzki, 2020;Zawadzki, Adamczyk, 2021). 57 Baylis (2013); Clausen (2009); Gilbert (2018); Glannon (2014b); Hildt (2006); Merkel, Boer, Fegert et al (2007); Nyholm, O'Neill (2016); Schechtman (2010); Schermer (2011);Synofzik, Schlaepfer (2008); Witt, Kuhn, Timmermann et al (2013).…”

Memory Modification and Authenticity: A Narrative Approach

“…The potential of memory modification techniques (MMTs) has raised concerns and sparked a heated debate in neuroethics. A commonly raised issue is that memory modification may impact identity and authenticity [ 1 – 8 ]. Memories are at the heart of our identity.…”

“…The potential benefits of modifying memories range from memory enhancement to treatments of memory disorders, addiction, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [ 9 , 8 , 10 ]. Memory modification could be used to enhance, erase, dampen (i.e., lowering the emotional impact), or edit memories (i.e., replace with or add new elements).…”

“…They rely on, for example, overwriting a fear memory with a new safety memory (extinction training) [ 17 ] or updating the memory with new information (imagery rescripting) [ 18 ]. Optogenetics uses light to control the activation and deactivation of individual, genetically modified neurons [ 8 ]. Optogenetics for memory modification has so far only been conducted in animals.…”