In the early 1980s geneticist Susumo Ohno began translating genes into music by assigning them musical notes according to their molecular weight. Ohno was determined to find a basic melody that is consistent with all life. Since then, research in the area of "genetic music" has expanded.
In a 2001 "New York Times" interview, journalist, Richard Taruskin commented, "All the enemies of music, like the Taliban, fear it has power over the soul. They're absolutely right." When the Taliban regime ascended to power in Afghanistan in 1989, they banned music throughout the country. Musical instruments and cassette tapes were confiscated and destroyed. Anyone caught performing music was beaten and imprisoned.
Resistance Records, a record label that sells hatecore music, was founded in 1993 and continues to sell CDs that promote white supremacist ideologies, inciting violence against minorities such as jews, blacks and latinos. Bands signed under Resistance Records include, RAHOW (Racial and Holy War) and the Angry Aryans.
Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) was developed by music therapist Helen Bonny in 1970. It is a psychotherapeutic method whereby a patient tackling an illness, such as depression, is induced to an altered state of consciousness through listening to classical music. Music is used to reduce stress and access the unconscious, thereby facilitating clarity and problem solving. Today, there are more than 100 registered GIM specialists in the United States.
In her article "Music Listening: Its Effects in Creating a Healing Environment," Dr. Ruth McCaffrey cites several studies where music therapy was used as a healing method on older patients suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. Dr. McCaffrey encourages health care facilities to use music in order to create a healing environment for its patients.