Scientists at Boston University published the results

of an extraordinary experiment, results

that called into question literally everything we know.

A few years ago, we had a series of experiments

where we were able to create a false memory

in the rodent brain.

We put our rodents in a safe environment,

where they were free to roam around.

And we developed a set of genetic tricks, where the brain

cells that held on to the memory of that safe environment now

became responsive to pulses of light.

So the next day, what we did was we

put the animals in a completely different environment.

And we gave them a couple of mild foot shocks

in that environment, in an attempt to startle them.

But the key thing is that we could shoot light

into the brain and reactivate that cells that

held on to that safe memory.

So one of the ways that we've known that we've switched

the memories is that the animal no longer behaviorally

looks like it's scared.

And then, that at least opened up the floodgates to this idea

that we can artificially manipulate memories in general.

We might be able to one day perform some kind of surgery

or some kind of intervention in the brain to enhance memories

that we don't want to be lost as a result of Alzheimer's, or

suppressed memories, let's say, that we don't want to be there

in cases of PTSD, or suppressed emotions, for instance,

in certain cases of anxiety.

Memories are stored, just like you

can put memories on a card in a video camera

or on your cell phone.

And it's possible that you could manipulate the chemical,

the organic wiring, so to speak, just

like you could manipulate a memory

card in an electronic device.

You can take one file out and put another file in.

In the future, we'll be able to record memories, play them

back, and alter these memories.

And I wouldn't be surprised that in the future,

you'll be able to go to a library

and have that vacation that you never had.

But once we learn how to add and remove files

from our brains, if we do not have

some kind of safeguard system, some kind of firewall

to prevent other people from doing it

without us letting them, then trusting our memories

might be a problem.

Implanting new thoughts into people's

minds, artificial memories?

The implications are as profound as they are frightening.

For example, how do you know if you actually watched this show?

Perhaps someone simply created a memory

and put it inside your head.

Preposterous?

How would you be able to tell the difference?

Let's face it.

Just when we think we've figured out everything there is

to learn about the human mind, we realize how little we really

understand and how much more we need

to know before there's nothing left that is unexplained.