Experimental Tool Uses Light To Tweak The Living Brain

Experimental Tool Uses Light To Tweak The Living Brain

When President Obama announced his BRAIN Initiative in April, he promised to give scientists "the tools they need to get a dynamic picture of the brain in action."

An early version of one of those tools already exists, scientists say. It's a relatively new set of techniques called optogenetics that allows researchers to control the activity of brain cells using light.

"This is fantastic," says Elizabeth Hillman, a biomedical engineer at Columbia University. "We can turn things on, turn things off, read stuff out." In short, she says, it provides a way to observe and control what brain circuits are doing in real time in a living brain.

I'm not normally one for DOOM porn but this has the potential for mind control, memory erasure and who knows what else written all over it in my humbles. Don't get me wrong, I see where this can be beneficial for some but on the other hand, like any new scientific development it may be perverted into something we really should keep an eye on.

Who knows maybe by me writing this thread I've already been "Programmed"

Ya know slayer,if somebody beside you posted this I'd call BS.

However since it is you I will consider it as being so.

SLAYER69
Who knows maybe by me writing this thread I've already been "Programmed"

Only if your skull has been removed, and only if the neurons they needed to access are on the outside of your brain. Like RIGHT on the outside.

reply to post by Bedlam




So you don't see where this developing technology has the potential to be used/perverted to manipulate thoughts, ideas or for reprogramming in real time?

I dunno, I guess I'm starting to get old...

Hops on his Pachycephalosaurus and hits the road...

Wear Sunglasses?

or get some super special anti-brain-control anti-hypno contact lenses.

If Batman can be found, he's certainly got anti-hypno contacts or goggles in his utility belt, which, btw was designed by time-lords because as much as it contains to have the right thing at the right time at the right moment every time, it's got to be bigger on the inside.



On a positive note, this could very well be the invention of remote face stabby of people on the internet that you don't like, especially if they're wearing Google Glass or equivalent.
Send them a file, and it programs them to do the Little Tea Pot dance, naked, in traffic, while holding a gun, burning a flag, with offensive language painted all over their body.


Edit: Realistically, all this nifty stuff is likely only possible in a lab. Still, it would be fun mischief to light-show people into one's bidding.
mmmm. Minions.
Who doesn't want minions?

I think you're right. It has the potential to be used for nefarious reasons.

If it could help brain damaged people like myself I would be more interested. I need a few billion nuerons to fire up

SLAYER69
reply to post by Bedlam

 

So you don't see where this developing technology has the potential to be used/perverted to manipulate thoughts, ideas or for reprogramming in real time?

Actually....no. Did you read any of the source documents? It takes fiber optics stuck in through holes in the skull, and only the surface neurons are available for working with.

It's not like they shine a light at you and say "You are getting very sleeeeeepy"

Bedlam

Actually....no. Did you read any of the source documents? It takes fiber optics stuck in through holes in the skull, and only the surface neurons are available for working with.

Yes, I read it. I also posted it here to share with people and get their take on the topic. So, simply because that's where they're at presently doesn't mean that's as far as they will get considering this is just breaking ground. Given enough time they may develop a non invasive medical technique ya know.

It's not like they shine a light at you and say "You are getting very sleeeeeepy"

SLAYER69
Given enough time they may develop a non invasive medical technique ya know.

Well, considering that the way it works is to illuminate as few neurons as possible with the laser to make them fire, anything that involves your skull in the way is not going to be particularly positive in the way of focusing. Or other brain in the way.

This is a lab thing. Great for what it does. Not so great for "mind control".

reply to post by Bedlam


I appreciate you sharing your opinion.

Bedlam

SLAYER69
Given enough time they may develop a non invasive medical technique ya know.

Well, considering that the way it works is to illuminate as few neurons as possible with the laser to make them fire, anything that involves your skull in the way is not going to be particularly positive in the way of focusing. Or other brain in the way.

This is a lab thing. Great for what it does. Not so great for "mind control".

Partly agree for now. but in the not too far off future they'll just inject a person with nanobots, and those bots will build the required circuits and connections to the brain, and a transmitter/receiver too

VoidHawk
...in the not too far off future they'll just inject a person with nanobots, and those bots will build the required circuits and connections to the brain, and a transmitter/receiver too

More likely to screw you up permanently.

Nothing like a blue screen of death, cranium style.

Bedlam

SLAYER69
Given enough time they may develop a non invasive medical technique ya know.

Well, considering that the way it works is to illuminate as few neurons as possible with the laser to make them fire, anything that involves your skull in the way is not going to be particularly positive in the way of focusing. Or other brain in the way.

This is a lab thing. Great for what it does. Not so great for "mind control".

Not only that but the neurons themselves need to be genetically modified to become sensitive to the light source in order to be activated. From the source:

For one thing, Hillman says, when you use optogenetics, "You're actually altering the genes of the neurons." That's because most neurons don't normally respond to light. So you have to add genetic material to every brain cell you want to control. Scientists can do that in mice with genetic engineering, but that's not an option for people.

Arguably this presents less of an obstacle to any would-be nefarious mind control plot than attaching/implanting devices on unsuspecting victims, but it does further complicate implementation.

According to the article, it's not enough just to get light to focus on selected neurons. The neurons first have to be made light-reactive, by messing with their genetic material:

For one thing, Hillman says, when you use optogenetics, "You're actually altering the genes of the neurons." That's because most neurons don't normally respond to light. So you have to add genetic material to every brain cell you want to control. Scientists can do that in mice with genetic engineering, but that's not an option for people. The other way to add genetic material is by infecting an animal with a virus that reprograms certain cells. This approach has been used in people, Hillman says, but carries enough risk that most optogenetic experiments in humans are probably still a long way off.

I think there may indeed be some potential for misuse far down the road if a non-invasive method of introducing the light to selected neurons can be developed. However, given the idea of infecting people with a virus that can reprogram neurons to make them light-reactive, & given the current insistence & pressure on the citizenry of the US to get flu shots & vaccines, I don't think it's too early for a ripping good CT or two even now.

Well everyone has been wondering what's up with the US gov feeding us this slop GMO crap the rest of the world has basically touted as trash toxic crap the biggest warlord won't feed his enemy type stuff ever. There is a pretty good purpose...feed you material that will alter your genetics to make your brain react differently than it used to. I mean come on how many people don't sit here and say people aren't like they used to be...only to be describing 10 years ago. You really think if they told us about it the gov hasn't looked it over taken what they needed or wanted and let the rest come out later and slowly at the detriment of everyone this could have helped or cured years ago. Well if you don't think so you better look up the cost of business buddy...cause corporations run this and the bottom line is the buck.

reply to post by RickyD


I can see the potential for plenty of tom foolery with this technology. And I think you raise a good question about GMOs and why are they doing force feeding us this crap. I also think that if this tech is being shown to us on a public forum what r they hiding? Maybe something like this?

reply to post by RickyD


Hey I appreciate the feedback.
Interesting angle.
outside the box.

I like it

reply to post by SLAYER69

I'm not normally one for DOOM porn but this has the potential for mind control...

Nah bro, they already invented TV and then it got its upgrade in the 90s with HBO, MC been around for awhile hell even pepsi bought into it as they have an awesome ad in home alone VHS


See what I mean, "Who Knew?"

There's a new(ish) show on the science channel called "Futurescape with James Woods" and they featured this in one of their episodes. The whole series is basically just an extended trans-humanist's wet dream. They're goin' on about how great it'll be when we can just switch off and on areas of the brain. Of course they give examples of switching of the pain of dying cancer patient or the fear of a firefighter but say nothing of perhaps robbing the soldier of his self preservation instinct or the police officer of their compassion.

I watched a little mini marathon of the shows the other day and if they even get some of the crap they were wanting going during my lifetime, I may be destined a Luddite.

That said it seemed like a pretty good show just fairly one sided.

reply to post by Josephus


Thanks for the *Headsup* I'll search for the episode.
Sounds like it's right up this alley.