KQED's Forum Would You Erase a Painful Memory, if You Could?
Dec 8, 2025
Steve Ramirez, a pioneering neuroscientist at Boston University, dives into the fascinating world of memory manipulation. He reveals groundbreaking experiments where he can turn memories on and off in mice, and even implant false memories. Ramirez grapples with the ethical implications of potentially erasing painful memories in humans, spurred by personal grief after his colleague's death. He also discusses the challenges of understanding the physical basis of memory and the risks of misuse in society. Prepare to rethink what memories are and could be!
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Memory Is Editable When Recalled
- Memory is dynamic and more like an editable file than a fixed video recording.
- Recalling a memory is the moment when it becomes malleable and subject to change.
Lasers Reactivated A Mouse Memory
- Ramirez and Shu used genetics and optogenetics to tag and reactivate the exact cells holding one memory in mice.
- Turning those cells on with lasers caused the mouse to recall the memory and freeze in fear.
Memory Shapes Identity And Behavior
- Memory underlies decision-making across species and is fundamental to identity in humans.
- Our past experiences sculpt the brain to guide future choices and form the self over time.
