Cyborg rats will save you...

Well, I can't say I'm terribly surprised.[=http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996429]I can't say I'm terribly surprised.
(via Engadget)[=http://www.engadget.com/entry/6832727748437139/](via Engadget)

Hmm, interesting. The things we can do these days.

--Mav

I agree with Mav, interesting. However, wouldn't that hurt the rats?

--Tzolkin
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At least its marginally better than what some scientists are trying to do. There are people trying to turn living rodents into 'robots' that they can control with a joystick, and have maned to do successfully even at this point. instead they use 3 probes into the brain, 2 of which stimulate the centers that the rat's whiskers would activate, and the last in the pleasure center. By stimulating the part of the brain that is associated with the left or right set of whiskers, they can make the rat navigate and walk exactly where they want it to. If the rat performs 'as desired' he gets a reward by stimulation of the pleasure center.

I don't like the sound of that. Poor things . . . .

Also, the stimulation of the pleasure center is used to take their attention off of the foriegn objects inserted into their bodies, though the brain its self feels nothing.

I agree, that doesn't sound kosher at all! Yet another example of twisted ethics.. :cry:

--Tzolkin
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Well I know in the case I described it was also used as a reward. But riddle me this, If they can do it to rats now, how long will it take before someone wants to try using the same technology on a larger animal.... or better yet, a person? And if they do master it for more complex creatures, what will they -do- with these living robots?

It could be a precurser to cybornetics, or an outright artificial AI. The possiblities are as endless as they are frightening.

I got to find the link but what they're doing in genetics is even more interesting. They're doing things with genes and have produced things like pigs with human bloodcells and other things I won't quot here until I find the link. Dr. Morrow's island type of thing could be in the next century. That's my guess.

I got to find the link but what they're doing in genetics is even more interesting. They're doing things with genes and have produced things like pigs with human bloodcells and other things I won't quot here until I find the link. Dr. Morrow's island type of thing could be in the next century. That's my guess.

I agree, the genetics is much more interesting, though at least those aren't quite as ethically questionable as turning a living being into a slave.

I think the link you're looking for is here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0125_050125_chimeras.html[]http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0125_050125_chimeras.html

Dead on, that's it. The mice with human brain structures is what got me.

It won't be too long before people are opting to have cosmetic genetic enhancements instead of plain ol' plastic surgery.

Simon ended up showing me that article as well I believe hehe.

I think it would almost be a better option than plastic surgery. if you think about it, tweaking ones genetic code is a lot less barbaric than hacking, and sewing a person up to get a desired look.

A discussion about this subject can also be found here[=http://www.thornvalley.com/commons/forum/viewtopic.php?t=108&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0]here.

I agree Xavier, it might actually be better to change one's genetic code rather than undergo a risky and highly painful series of surgeries, though genetic manipulation can cause a unique kind of pain of its own. One such example is cancer, and the pain it can inflict upon its victims.

So while it might be better than surgery, it would still have its risks, and if we do decide to experiment along those lines, we should be careful on every step, and do the experiments on ourselves, not our unwitting animal brethern...

--Tzolkin
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ah but you must consider what that would mean people wouldn't exactly volunteer to be tested so many people waiting on these cures would suffer for the lack of advance.

ah but you must consider what that would mean people wouldn't exactly volunteer to be tested so many people waiting on these cures would suffer for the lack of advance.

Well, for one, it could potentially improve medical cures, by giving a better knowledge of genetics. It can potentially be used for cosmetic and medical illness cures. And I'm sure there will be people to voulenteer. at least in the gene alteration etc.

but what you may not realize is those who do volounteer would be putting thier health at risk and have to be isolated if a unknown factor should come into play

but what you may not realize is those who do volounteer would be putting thier health at risk and have to be isolated if a unknown factor should come into play

I'm quite aware of it. However they've already begun basic testing on animals, so they -should- have some knowledge of what to expect. And doing major cosmetic surgery doesn't put people's health at risk? cosmetic surgery can be downright life-threatening at times. Health risks would be a non-issue for some people.

What of those who have nothing to lose, or at least believe so. (The terminally ill to name one group) There will always be those who would still go through with something of that sort despite the obvious risks..

--Tzolkin
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