A line on the future
In one of those moves that begins to realize something seen in science fiction for decades, a device has been implanted in the brain of a quadriplegic that allows him limited control over some electronic equipment. Initial work on refining the degree of control is focused on getting the unnamed 25 year old Rhode Island quadriplegic to control a paddle in a game of Pong via the implant; the reported accuracy of the game control is an impressive 70%. Granted FDA approval for the study, Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems has authorization to perform four more of these implants this year.
Parallel research on sensor arrays that won't require invasive wiring, and work with feedback systems to allow such control to be exercised over prosthetic limbs is ongoing, though the researchers are quick to point out that the current tools are far too blunt and primitive for such things as yet.
While I expect that genetic therapies will prove more curative and restorative in the long term, I can't help but be intrigued by the promise each holds. I also can't help but think of the unfortunate end of Christopher Reeve with respect to both of these. While who knows what might or might not have been accomplished in that time, it's been over two years since George W. Bush communed with the voice of God in his head and made a decision over all our heads to ban any federal funding for new lines of embryonic stem cells. For me, it's just one of many reasons we need to be rid of the blight of the Bush administration.
Yes, I've turned this political, but only as a matter of defense.
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