Posted on 02/28/2007 9:42:00 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Bird-brained China scientists learn to fly pigeons
Tue Feb 27, 12:53 AM ET
BEIJING (Reuters) - 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.
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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.
Su and his colleagues, who Xinhua said had had similar success with mice in 2005, were improving the devices used in the experiment and hoped that the technology could be put into practical use in future.
The report did not specify what practical uses the scientists saw for the remote-controlled pigeons.
 A pigeon with micro-electrodes planted in its brain is seen at Shandong Science and Technology University in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province February 27, 2007. 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. Picture taken February 27, 2007. REUTERS/China Daily |
Ping!
I'd rather eat the subjects.
Ping!
Actually, I suspect that is what worries these researchers most. Their test pigeon missing in action, and turning up at the kitchen of a neighborhood restaurant.:-)
A couple of possible military applications:
1) Load up the pigeons with bird flu, fly 'em into Taiwan.
2) Practice for retrofitting some of those 100-odd million young unattached Chinese men for combat; can you override the voluntary muscle commands? "No retreat" would become more than a buzzword.
No cheers, unfortunately.
No, much simpler. Say, you are there and attract unwanted attention, but handling you in the usual way could be inconvenient [bad publicity and all that]. OK. So armies of pigeons will be homed in to relieve themselves on, and around, you during all the daylight hours. And how long will you last?
I say they will work for PLA, and you say they will work for Ministry of State Security.
We may be both proven to be right.:-)
This research sounds a bit disturbing if you ask me. Moving this onto people would be a logical extension of the research.
borg pigeon ping
On the bright side, somebody can get hold of master control and order them to march into the sea. Problem solved.
OMG that so sad disgusting Tiger that gross
If ussr of thucking memory is any guide, then state security trumps everything, military included.
We all know that. If you are classified as 'expendable,' this is what will happen to you.
YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED, COO-HOO! YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED, COO-HOO!
We have had technology far superior to this for years.
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