Blog #1 microchips and BRAAAAAAIIIINNNNSSS

Scientists at Tel Aviv University in Israel have begun researching how to heal wounded brains by placing small microchips under the skull of a rat. The microchip sends an impulse to the brain trying to mimic motor functions the rat has lost due to its brain damage. The chip itself sends electrical signals to the rats cerebellum, which in turn goes through the brain stem is turned into an motor response. The scientists use Pavlov's experiment by making a specific noise followed by blowing air into the eye of rats causing them to blink. The control group were normal brained rats, while the experimental group had brain damage and the microchip. While the normal rats learned to blink after the sound was made regardless if air was blown in their eyes, the experimental group still had some difficulties. However, after repeating this process the scientists said that the experimental group has shown so improvement. 


With this experiment on the brains of rats comes the possibility of helping those who live with chronic and degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, those who have suffered strokes, and MS. If this proves successful then it will racially change biotechnology. Without brain function we lose our soul, so to speak. This could mean for many living with such diseases finally having a normal life. I personally think that it's a step in the right direction in terms proper use of technology and medicine. The great thing about technology is it's wide spread effects on everyone in the world. Without it and the progresses made to improve the livelihood of humans, our society would be a shell of what it is today. 


Cyborg Rats