New technologies that tap into the brain and allow weapons to one day be fired through mind control could soon become a reality, British scientists claim. Researchers believe that new “thinking caps”, could help provide super-human strength, highly enhanced concentration or thought-controlled weaponry, The Telegraph reports.
A British ethics group is investigating the ethical dilemmas posed by inventions that interfere with the brain’s inner workings.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCB) has launched a consultation on the risks posed by such new technologies, the global market for which it says is worth $8bn (£5bn) and “growing fast”.
With the prospect of future conflicts between armies controlling weapons with their minds, the Council, an independent body, is wanting to identify what issues that come with blurring the lines between humans and machines.
Applications range from medicine to warfare and even human enhancement while some techniques such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) are already used by thousands of patients. The consultation will look at whether having decisions affected by a computer chip in the brain could lead to a sense of diminished responsibility amongst users.
“Intervening in the brain has always raised both hopes and fears in equal measure,” said Prof Thomas Baldwin, from York University, who is leading the study.
“Hopes of curing terrible diseases, and fears about the consequences of trying to enhance human capability beyond what is normally possible. “These challenge us to think carefully about fundamental questions to do with the brain: What makes us human? What makes us an individual? And how and why do we think and behave in the way we do?”
He added, “It is not just science fiction. I don’t think it is unrealistic if you have the unlimited funds of the Pentagon to project ourselves towards some kind of Star Wars future.
“Setting pharmaceuticals aside, the value of the market for the devices and technologies we are dealing with is something in the region of $8 billion, and growing fast.”
The NCB, which investigates ethical issues raised by new developments in biology and medicine, wants to focus on three main areas of neurotechnologies that change the brain.
These include brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), neurostimulation techniques such as DBS or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neural stem cell therapy.
These technologies are already at various stages of development for use in the treatment of medical conditions including Parkinson’s disease, depression and stroke.
Experts believe they could bring significant benefits, especially for patients with severe brain disease or damage. daily times monitor
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