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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection
Published on: August 26, 2011
Changing Memories: Between Ethics and Speculation
Eric Racine1, William Affleck2
1Full 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.
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.
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