def remove_blocks(data, config_map):
    """
    Sets to zero given alien blocks in the data array.
    
    Parameters
    ----------
    data : ndarray
        an array with experiment data
    config : Object
        configuration object providing access to configuration parameters

    Returns
    -------
    data : ndarray
        data array with zeroed out aliens
    """
    try:
        aliens = config_map.aliens
        for alien in aliens:
            # The ImageJ swaps the x and y axis, so the aliens coordinates needs to be swapped, since ImageJ is used
            # to find aliens
            data[alien[0]:alien[3], alien[1]:alien[4], alien[2]:alien[5]] = 0
    except AttributeError:
        print ('aliens parameter not configured')
    except Exception as e:
        print ('did not remove aliens, error in aliens removal ', str(e))
    return data