Researcher Implants Laser-Activated Brain Cells 98
destinyland writes "A Stanford researcher has spliced light-sensitive algae genes into human brain cells to fire neurons when activated by a laser. Light is shined through an implanted fiber optic cable (blue light on, yellow light off), and the procedure can target very specific deep brain structures too fragile for most surgery. 'Once the researcher attaches the other end of the cable to a laser, he or she has absolute and flawless control over that group of neurons.' Science writer Quinn Norton cites it as a first attempt at 'building useful handles on the very things that make us ourselves.'"
Re:First Post! (Score:4, Interesting)
We've been over this. God is sufficient but not necessary for consciousness. It's far too early to tell either way right now. Keep working on the Hard Problem:-)
Great, now commercialize it.. (Score:3, Interesting)
Things you need to do with your DNI:
1. Invoke mental imagery, preferably without interfering with normal vision.
2. Infer mental imagery manipulation.. for example, when you hear the question "what letter do you get by turning a Z on its side?" results in a common specific quale of visual intelligence.
3. Test and improve the rate and bandwidth.
With such an interface you can do human computer interaction in ways that are completely unavailable to current input devices. Imagine having a 3d modeling tool where you can just think about the object you want, or how it differs from the object you're seeing. Imagine, if you can, receiving data at a higher bandwidth than video.
Re:So.... (Score:3, Interesting)
Here comes our direct Neural Link (Score:4, Interesting)
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Spinal damage (Score:4, Interesting)
I wonder if this can be applied to other purposes like bypassing damaged sections of a paraplegics spinal cord.
We would need to develop a neuron to laser device at the other end first, but the possibilities of making people walk again are worth investment.