Yesterday I was reading an article in the Summer 2014 issue of the BBC Focus magazine. To say the least fingolimod (currently approved for treating multiple sclerosis) made me curious as to the wonders that could be done with humanity.
Fingolimod ‘may have the ability to lessen the effect of adverse or traumatic memories.’ It has been tested on mice so far, proving to be successful on them. They no longer showed the typical ‘freezing’ behaviour that happens when mice are frightened or anxious.
In my opinion, all of our experiences make us who we are as people. If fingolimod could be used as a cure for our traumatic memories in the future, would that change the people we become, our moral views, or the way we embrace the rest of our lives? Yes, I think so. Bitter memories can breed evil, hope and sadness. With these feelings subdued, the mere definition of humanity could change. Bitterness would come to an end, but would regret, change and opinions also have the same fate.
The erasing of our worst memories would make us unemotional people, maybe unsusceptible to horror because we would no longer know the meaning of it. As extreme as it may sound, I think that the use of fingolimod would result in a huge hole in the heart of humanity. This is not something that we can afford, with so many already suffering due to lack of emotion, in places like Palestine and Gaza.
We will simply have to learn to deal with these poor memories, growing from them, rather than shrinking as good people.
‘The best doctor gives the least medicine.’ – Benjamin Franklin
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