I have recently read an interesting article about this huge discovery:
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-biologists-transfer-a-memory
It is about transfering memory between marine snails by injecting RNA from one to another.
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-biologists-transfer-a-memory
It is about transfering memory between marine snails by injecting RNA from one to another.
The specific description of the method used in this research is presented in the mentioned article. To encourage You all to read the article I just say that scientists took some of the RNA from the snails which received small electric shocks and placed it to other snails. Then these other snails – while tapped - reacted almost just like the first ones, even though they weren’t given the shocks at all!
Such discovery is incredibly important – further researches may focus on transfering other parts of the RNA which in fact can be equal with transfering the memories. It can be priceless in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, where the main cure is bringing back lost memories. It will also hugely help people with PTSD – with altering traumatic memories with the new ones.
What is even more interesting, similar invention was described in the novel called „We can remember it for you wholesale” by Phillip K. Dick and in the movie (based on that novel) called „Total recall”. Like I wrote few weeks ago, commented on one of the articles – science-fiction writers predicted a lot of nowadays discoveries.
Here I have some questions for You:
1. Do you know any other predictions presented in books or in the movies, which became real? If you know some, what is your favourite?
2. Do you think that memory tranfer can be used in the entertainment – like in „Total recall” - and how so?
3. Can you think of another usage for the memory transfer, besides these mentioned above?
4. In your opinion, is there any danger coming from the described discovery?
