Human Brains Can Be Modified Using Lasers: ScientistsNicholas West There is an obsession with finding new ways to access and manipulate what is believed to be the seat of human behavior. The spate of new developments, which now seem to come almost daily, can be attributed to the large commitment made by the U.S. BRAIN project and its much larger European counterpart the Human Brain Project. All told, billions are being spent to unlock what neuroscientists see as the final frontier. So far, some of the more potentially dangerous elements have centered around wirelessly remote controlling brain activity via ultrasound, as was the intention of a secret DARPA program going on at Arizona State University that was exposed by a whistleblower. Ongoing experiments with implanting, erasing and altering memories are showing promise in lab animals. Now, scientists believe they have found a brand new tool to access the brain and modify it directly: high-powered lasers. Whereas the above-mentioned research is showing promise in lab animals, it does remain officially theoretical at this point as to how effective it will be on humans. However, tests using high-powered lasers to target trouble zones in the brain are being trumpeted by scientists as perfected in human trials. Initial trials have begun with epileptics, certainly a noble enough starting point in attempting to eradicate a truly debilitating condition. With tongue in cheek though we ARE talking about real tests here Extreme Tech goes on to describe some of the benefits of this new technology, while also exposing the risks of the ultrasound approach touted thusfar: Ive read a lot of the research papers covering the use of ultrasound in mind research and this is the first Im hearing of brain melt as a possible outcome. Probably not something that is likely to be featured in a press release. The mechanics of the high-powered laser itself is incredibly dry, technical reading, but suffice to say the human tests were conclusive: As for ethics? Here we get another glimpse of how the current establishment protocol operates, completely abandoning the precautionary principle, but just plowing headlong into the most sensitive areas of inner space: Like many other examples of scientific tinkering, we really wont know if the risk was justified until it is proven that it wasnt. Were nuclear weapons tests justified? Bioweapons? Geogenineering? GMO and its attendant pesticide overload? Nanotech materials in clothing and food? There are many other examples of promises left distorted. For now, one has to submit to this type of procedure, but its not much of a stretch to imagine remote applications, just as ultrasound has moved from having to wear a physical apparatus to receiving input from properly directed frequencies. The complete failure to address worst-case scenarios is a hallmark of modern science especially in the area of the human mind, which has been all-too closely aligned with stated goals of the military-pharmaceutical-industrial complex. It is paramount that we embrace the wonders of science, but to maintain a healthy skepticism of who is in charge and what their true goals really are. As for the truly well meaning? There is a reason why most science fiction is written to offer a cautionary tale of where even the best intentions can lead. Recently by Nicholas West: Honestly, I have Misophonia. I would pay anything to do something like this to me Only for medical reasons, of course. It could be considered as evil, but in many ways it could be something good and revolucionary. Thanks you. 