NOT all memories are sweet. Some people spend all their lives trying to forget bad memories. Violence and traffic accidents can leave people with terrible physical and emotional scars.
Now American researchers think they are close to developing a pill, which will help people forget bad memories. The pill is designed to be taken immediately after a scary events. They hope it might reduce, or possibly erase, the effect of painful memories.
In November, experts tested a drug on people in the US and France. The drug stops the body producing chemicals that fix memories in the brain. So far the research has suggested that only the emotional effects of memories may be reduced, not that the memories are erased.
The research has caused a great deal of argument. Some think it is a bad idea, while others support it.
Supporters say it could lead to pills that prevent or treat soldiers’ troubling memories after war. They say that there are many people who suffer from terrible memories.
“Some memories can ruin people's lives. They come back to you when you don’t want to have them in a daydream or nightmare. They usually come with very painful emotions,” said Roger Pitman.
But those who are against the research say that changing memories is very dangerous because memories make us different from others. They also help us all avoid the mistakes of the past.
“All of us can think of bad events in our lives that were horrible at the time but make us who we are. I’m not sure whether we want to wipe those memories out,” said Rebecca Dresser, a medical ethicist.
What does the underlined word “erase” mean?
A.change | B.forgive | C.add | D.remove |
The passage is mainly about _________.
A.a new medical invention | B.a new research on the pill |
C.the argument about the research on the pill | D.a way of erasing painful memories |
The drug tested on people can _________.
A.cause the brain to fix memories | B.stop people remembering bad events |
C.prevent body producing certain chemicals | D.wipe out the bad memories |
Which of the following statements is true?
A.Some people doubt if the pills should be used to help people forget bad memories. |
B.The pill will stop people’s bad memories. |
C.Taking the pill will do harm to people’s health. |
D.The pill has been produced in America. |
Which of the following does Rebecca Dresser agree with?
A.Some memories can ruin people’s lives. |
B.People want to get rid of bad memories. |
C.The pill will reduce people’s sufferings from bad memories. |
D.Having bad events makes us different from others. |