Free scientific inquiry is a noble goal and all, but seriously, nothing good can come of this:
Scientists in eastern China say they have succeeded in controlling the flight of pigeons with micro electrodes planted in their brains, state media reported on Tuesday.
Scientists at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Centre at Shandong University of Science and Technology said ther electrodes could command them to fly right or left or up or down, Xinhua news agency said.
“The implants stimulate different areas of the pigeon’s brain according to signals sent by the scientists via computer, and force the bird to comply with their commands,” Xinhua said.
“It’s the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the world,” Xinhua quoted the centre’s chief scientist, Su Xuecheng, as saying.
We already have quadriplegic patients moving robot arms with their minds. And yesterday we announced a mind-reading video game helmet. Heck, this same Chinese group already used a similar mind-control technique on mice in 2005 — it’s clear the only reason to move from mammals to birds was for payload delivery…
via Engadget…