Advances in neuroscience have raised the very real possibility that human memories could one day be selectively erased or artificially enhanced — a prospect that, (0) HOWEVER far-fetched it may sound, is closer to reality than most people suppose. Researchers have already demonstrated that specific memories can 1 weakened in laboratory animals, and what remains to be seen is 2 such techniques can be safely applied to humans. Proponents argue that the ability to erase traumatic memories could be of enormous benefit to those suffering 3 conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Opponents, 4 the other hand, contend that memories — even painful ones — are integral to our sense of identity. Were such technology to become widely available, there would be nothing to prevent 5 being misused for purposes other than those originally intended. Not only 6 this raise profound ethical questions, but it also challenges our very understanding of what it means to be human. Controversial 7 this area of research may be, few would deny that the potential benefits are enormous. It is for this reason that the scientific community has called for robust regulatory frameworks to be established 8 the technology advances any further.