Fake memory implanted in mice with a beam of light
arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com
I mean, it's not like mice can verbalize their experience. They don't use words to tell us how they "feel" about these memories on the inside.
And in the article, it states that no new memories were actually created. Only the nature of existing memories were augmented to be negative.
From the article:
...whether they could create a new, negative association
by flipping the switch on an old, neutral memory while
giving the mouse a negative experience.
Reminds me of "Tom" from 50 first dates. Thanks for the good laugh this afternoon.
Until then, here's a website that'll let you experience a common memory error. (http://psych.hanover.edu/JavaTest/CLE/Cognition/Cognition/fa...)
There are probably more experiments you can do on yourself to induce a false memory.
Given our species long history of pushing back the boundaries of mysticism, fear and uncertainty, it would seem presumptuous to doubt that our own minds are somehow exempt from the rules of the natural world.
It's pretty clear there is a physical basis for cognition. Some extremely pedantic philosophers may not come to the same conclusion though. If you have any doubts, here's how you can find out: get a friend to beat your head in with a baseball bat (made with preferably something tough like steel or titanium).
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then its a duck. That's the best we can do for now, whether mice or men.
That doesn't sound particularly scientific. Sometimes a bit of precision with language is nice.
In short: just because their test activated a memory doesn't mean it created one
The beam of light doesn't create the memory -- it triggers a remembrance of the memory.
The whole story is BS. There is zero evidence that they implanted any sort of memory, let alone a false one. All they've shown is that when the mice encounter situation X, they are afraid because their memories of situation X are associated with fear. Basically it's like how if you have a nightmare about dying in a car crash then you may be afraid of driving the next day, but that doesn't mean that you have a memory of actually dying in a car crash.
Both
* zomgcopter creepy
* Coined at Stanford
* Persuasion technology that's "not malevolent"
* Doesn't require neurosurgery
* May cause fire
* Almost completely harmless when combined with sharks capable of jumping
PS: Yeap, the post title is inaccurate link-bait. Plz edit to be more realistic.
Makes sense, nothing too surprising but getting something like this to work is impressive.
*edit for clarity
Memories can be unreliable. We created a false memory in mice by optogenetically manipulating memory engram–bearing cells in the hippocampus. Dentate gyrus (DG) or CA1 neurons activated by exposure to a particular context were labeled with channelrhodopsin-2. These neurons were later optically reactivated during fear conditioning in a different context. The DG experimental group showed increased freezing in the original context, in which a foot shock was never delivered. The recall of this false memory was context-specific, activated similar downstream regions engaged during natural fear memory recall, and was also capable of driving an active fear response. Our data demonstrate that it is possible to generate an internally represented and behaviorally expressed fear memory via artificial means.
The Ars article also has a good link to a backgrounder on optogenetics: http://f1000.com/prime/reports/b/3/11/
seems like an effective way to train things like correct reaction for the "Attention" command in soldiers, schoolchildren, employees during all-hands,...
On the other side, some decades later we will be appalled by the modern practice of electrical shocking of mice the same ways some of us are already appalled by medieval torture.
A better example might be vivisection - it used to be done without any analgesia at all, for the simple reason that they had none. But they learned a LOT from it. Today the idea is repugnant, but that's because we have analgesics we can use.
This is the same way - it's the best tool we have. Once we get a better tool we'll use it, but don't criticize the past for not using a tool that didn't exist.
Even worse would be to say not to do the experiment at all.
Jews in concentration camps were experimented on with intent of scientific experiment. By your standard it is just ok.
Intent doesn't matter to the subject of torture, be it an interrogated witch, 911 terrorist, Jew in concentration camp being experimented on or a dog being vivisected.
> Today the idea is repugnant, but that's because we have analgesics we can use.
No. The idea became repugnant to some [the most advanced people of the time] and through their effort the analgesics started to be used. In particular, ether was first used for surgery in 1846, while vivisection was still legal for more than half a century after that.
Or do you mean UCSF doesn't have analgesics available:
http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/UCSF-lapses-mean-res...
> Once we get a better tool we'll use it, but don't criticize the past for not using a tool that didn't exist.
That a convenient lie - alcohol, 'shrooms, opium, various barks, cola nut, etc... have been known for like thousands years.
>Even worse would be to say not to do the experiment at all.
False scare, like security vs. liberty. The humanity would probably be much better off if it excluded all experiments on live animals. Our primitive, medieval, violent mentality is that keeps us from developing into advanced civilization. Live and let live.
it is not philosophical, it is routine everyday choice everyone of us make. Like these researchers at UCSF - whether to administer analgesics or not before cutting a body part - calling it a philosophical question clearly shows your own philosophy.
>Which do you value more, animals or humans?
By asking such a question you already stated your answer. I don't ask nor answer such a question as i don't assign specific value points on lives of humans or animals. Putting such specific values and compare them has always been leading humans who think of themselves as of higher value to mindlessly butcher, torture, etc... anybody whom they think of as of lesser value, be it humans or animals.
There is no answer that's not philosophical. Refusing to quantify your philosophy is philosophical.
It amounts to asserting that taking a position is wrong when only people who disagree with the philosophy you implicitly accept are taking a position, so it's also rather hostile.
But I can also answer that with a question if you want: which do you value more, slow but steady progress, and planting for generations ahead and reaping from what generations before sowed, or instant gratification and profit, and the constant low-intensity war that entails? (not that we lack a constancy of military action in the world, but hey)
If by value you mean assign a positive number then No. If by value you mean calculate then Yes. (Sorry for phrasing it that way, but I wasn't sure which you meant.)
> which do you value more, slow but steady progress, and planting for generations ahead and reaping from what generations before sowed, or instant gratification and profit, and the constant low-intensity war that entails?
Now I'm confused. In another post you appear to be against this experiment (i.e. the slow and steady progress), but the way you write this makes it look like the slow and steady progress is the better way - but that's the experiment.
So which is it?
No they weren't. They were experimented on with the intent of causing pain. If you really believe that the intent was science then you owe it to yourself to learn more history.
> Intent doesn't matter to the subject of torture
Yes it does. If the intent is pain then pain will be maximized. If the intent is learning then pain will be minimized, or at least not increased.
UCSF seem incompetent and negligent, but why are you using them as an example? There are always bad actors. You need to look at the normal, not the extreme.
> alcohol, 'shrooms, opium, various barks, cola nut, etc... have been known for like thousands years.
We know now that they could have used it. Yet from every account I've read they didn't. They had opium, yet did surgery without it. So despite theoretically having it, practically speaking, they didn't.
> The humanity would probably be much better off if it excluded all experiments on live animals.
If by better off you mean die young then I guess so.
> Our primitive, medieval, violent mentality is that keeps us from developing into advanced civilization.
Our "primitive, medieval, violent mentality" are what is causing us to advance. Peaceful non-competitive societies never progress. And what's primitive about it anyway? Do you consider yourself primitive? No? They why do you think anyone else is?
man, are you serious or just doesn't know anything or just trolling?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_human_experimentation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731
the rest of your statements are about the same. I'll just stop here.
And while we're on the topic, the US experimented on their interned populace as well, though with less intent to harm, as did the Japanese (referenced by GP).
Did you even read those very things you linked to?
Not only do you know of one case of torture you know of two! And still somehow believe they were intended as experiments and not intended for pain.
> And still somehow believe they were intended as experiments and not intended for pain.
How about: they were intended as experiment, but Jews were treated as disposable experimental material, just like we treat rats today? Because hey, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to test crazy theories on real humans without regard to consequences. And maybe help the soldiers win the war!
They were intended for pain - the "experiment" was an afterthought "hey! we are already torturing them, lets get some data out of it too".
who could even be so cruel?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IN...
Source? The article just said they wanted to see if they can do it. Namely, to create a negative, fake memory.
it's the best tool we have. Once we get a better tool we'll use it
Tool for what, exactly? We know the brain is made up of stuff and that it can be influenced. The question is rather, what of that is even desirable to do. In the article I just see the fascination of playing God, there not even pie in the sky medical applications are mentioned. And personally, I can't think of any. I tried!
Let's say someone was sexually abused by red haired people as a kid. That is, they only knew two red haired people, those abused them, and now they have a very strong negative reaction to red haired people. Wouldn't it always be more desirable for them to talk about this stuff and work through it, than just their association with red hair being "reset"? [I'm simply assuming that if you can make benign memory bad, it's only a matter of time until we try making a bad memory benign, or even good] Okay, maybe it should be their choice, I can't tell others what they need to be able to cope with. And my example is very bad, I just couldn't think of a better one; though I am still keen to hear others, let's simply assume there is a really good example, and a great medical use for good.. where there's not so much faking going on, but correcting actual mistakes etc. where intellectually realizing them just doesn't cut it for some reason.
As I said, I can't really tell others what they should do or not do, especially since I am not suffering from any crippling anxieties or brain damage. I have only one argument why they should rather go the harder road, which may big payoffs in the way of personal growth, but also may simply not work at all: just like you supposedly can't hypnotize people to do things that goes completely against their moral values, I think it's harder to make someone believe the dog that bit them actually licked their hand with just a bunch of conversations. Yes, people can be brainwashed already, and I guess a bad but trusted therapist could also do a lot of damage; but compared to physically reaching in there and re-arranging things, it's still like muskets to the nuclear bomb. And wether stuff like "Bush Derangement Syndrome" is a real thing, or just a dumb ad-hominem, is actually simply a consensus decision. Medical history, and that of the mind especially, is FULL of people being mis-diagnosed and made to fit. The world has been reeling with power grabs and raising awareness of them for many decades, so to invent such a "tool", even the most simplicistic beginnings of it, "just because", seems just nucking futs to me. That it's "exciting" to the "global neuroscience community" doesn't really cut it for me to get excited, too.
"If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind, and if the mind itself is controllable – what then?" -- George Orwell
^ You see, there is only one way to find out, and no way back from it. Any steps towards it needs to be heavily justified. Basically, if you can do it any other way, where volition and dignity remain intact, you have to do it that way. Can you show me what this is good for that's a.) important, and not just "exciting" b.) not possible any other way?
Your example is very bad. It should be a basic tenant of humanity that we control ourselves, and we as individuals should be the ones making the choice on if and how we're mentally modifying ourselves. The only time that choice should be put aside is if we are modifying ourselves to be a clear and present danger to others.
The only time that choice should be put aside is if we are modifying ourselves to be a clear and present danger to others.
I'd argue the same for drone killings, and it's already violated there. So this basic human tened should exist, but doesn't, not really, not when push comes to shove. So again, I wonder, what possible good use could come of this? I mean, before I can see about dis/agreeing with it, I first would at least like to hear some stuff. So far we have nothing but "it's exciting" from the article, or "it's a tool" in the post I replied to. Not even "it's exciting because", or "it's a tool for". Geez.. I know it's not rocket science, but still, there has to be more than the fact that fake negative memories is what neuroscientists crave. I don't even doubt there are things to be said there, which is why asked for that. Sigh.
Do you realize how little we know about the brain? Any information we can collect is useful. It may seem minor to you, but considering how little we know everything [that is real] helps.
I say thinking comes first, then poking around in the brains of creatures that can't defend themselves. If it's that important, why not do it on volunteering humans? If it has to be fucking around with mice, why not make them like a location a lot? Why create fear? Because it's easier? Or hey who cares, it's mice, bred en masse for whatever? You know, mice may seem minor to you, but they're basically persons just like everyone. There are arguments for some medical experiments, but I still haven't heard one for this. You just said it yourself, "everything helps". So why this? If anything else would help as well, and you can't even tell me what it would help for, other than temporarily satisfying some kind of inferiority complex about not being omniscient?
And do you realize that it's the brain we're talking about? You know, just because something is there and can potentially be fully understood and manipulated, doesn't mean we should get to do that with it... I'm not sure everybody is on the same page though.
But I know everybody including me is a hypocrite. Just take free will. The idea that there likely is no such thing is a LOT older than neuroscience (even Nietzsche said that the idea is only still around because every now and then someone digs it up to disprove it haha). Yet we kinda ignore that because you know what? Life is pointless and no fun that way. So yeah, everything helps when it's mice, or someone else's brain, but we reserve the right to tell science to back off from how we'd prefer to view ourselves, don't we. And sometimes for good reason, but that can't be answered by just "is it doable". Just like "should it be made doable?" can't be answered by just "does it exist?".
I mean, before we at least got to hear about all sorts of diseases that maybe might be positively affected by X or Y, but now it's really nothing more than "but think of the brain!!!1"? If that is true, wow. I'm not going to take your word for it, but just in case, wow.
Did you really just equate firing a nuke with scaring a mouse?
> You know, mice may seem minor to you, but they're basically persons just like everyone.
Persons like everyone hu? Well I guess it makes sense then that you consider firing a nuke and scaring a mouse to be equivalent.
Here's some news: Mice are not people. They are not as important as people and their lives have little value. Yes, avoid causing them pain if possible. But don't over do it and start to think they are people.
Other research groups at MIT — i.e. within the McGovern Institute for Brain Research — are using the same techniques to better understand the biological basis for psychiatric disorders. For example, they recently used light stimulation to rid rats of compulsive behaviors.
I'm very excited about the potential for this technology to help people suffering with OCD, general anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
This is important because it helps us understand the way memories are encoded, however it is for very primitive and basic kinds of memory.