IRRC No. 910
Eradicating war memories: Neuroscientific reality and ethical concerns
Reading time 64 min read
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Abstract
Traumatic memories of war can result in mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized by intrusive traumamemories and severe stress
responses with devastating personal and societal consequences. Current treatments
teach patients to regulate trauma memories, but many experience a return of
symptoms even after initially successful treatment. Neuroscience is discovering ways
to permanently modify trauma memories and prevent the return of symptoms. Such
memory modification techniques (MMTs) have great clinical potential but also
important ethical, legal and social implications. In this article, the authors describe PTSD, the role of memory in PTSD, its effects on the brain, and the limitations of current treatment methods. Then, the state of the art of the neuroscience of MMTs is presented. Within this realistic scientific framework the authors will discuss the
ethical, legal and social implications of MMTs for the treatment of war-induced
PTSD, especially in a military population. Three major sets of issues will be focused
on: safety and social justice concerns, concerns about threats to authenticity and
identity, and the possible legal and moral duties to retain certain memories. Finally,
the article concludes that within scientific reality, concerns are limited and do not
outweigh the potential benefits of developing treatments for patients.