Virtual Reality Would it have an impact on our lives if it was implanted directly into our brain ? A strange question asked by a team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology led by Nancy Kanwisher. In an article published on Atlantico, Laurent AlexandreDoctissimo, co-founder of Doctissimo, a surgeon explains the significance of the research conducted by MIT.
It would be by “playing with the neural code” that a virtual reality simulation could take place from our brain. By studying the spindle region of our face, and by intentionally activating this region, the team wonders what we can see…explanations.
What are the interests of brain-machine interfaces?
NS Laurent AlexandreBrain-machine interfaces have many advantages:
- Helping paralyzed people act on their external environment, as in Parkinson’s disease
- Control your exoskeleton, walk in better conditions, or walk again!
But it has another benefit, which is to capture brain waves to better understand how the brain works. A method for studying the relationship between our thought and the electrical activity received by the brain. And therefore , This will allow for example to know if a person is guilty of a crimeOr, if she’s a spy! In absolute terms, it could allow to inject memories into the brain or interact with Metavers or with Musk’s Neuralink!
A virtual reality simulator, utopia or futuristic reality?
At present, it will be Instead of a science fiction world, but if we can figure out the neural code, that could change. This will make it possible to read the brain, but also to create experiences for them, or rather hallucinations in the literal sense of the term. While these hallucinations can be created for fun, they can also be created for manipulative purposes (by the police or by criminals for that matter). It can also be transformed to make someone believe that we want to get rid of them politically, and that they have committed reprehensible acts.
Do we know how to stimulate the brain today?
brain simulator It already exists by means of electromagnetic waves… Scientists hope they can use it to fight memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, for example. But this simulation is still in its infancy. Laurent Alexandre He estimates that it will take a few more decades before this becomes effective. Medically speaking, this is fairly good news, but morally what do we have the right to do or not to do?
Possible drifts?
While reporting radar scans would still be possible because making them impossible would amount to affecting freedom of expression, one wonders how such brain exploration can be implemented. Can Interrogating someone’s brain without their knowledge, to know whether he declares all his income, or whether he knows his way of life, would that not conflict with individual freedom?
But knowing if someone you suspect is a murderer by exploring their brain, wouldn’t that be good for society? Finally, from a medical point of view, this technology can make it possible to treat mental illness, by using it wisely! Scientists know that one day, they will be able to use this method… Moral questions and many potential drifts In case of improper use!
problem for the future?
As with any new medical treatment, vaccine, implants or prosthetics, scientists don’t know the consequences of the coming years… As when a vaccine was invented or an implant was first placed, we don’t know what will happen in 5, 10 or 20 years. And brain implants won’t cut it…
During the implant process, it will take several years after installation to see the consequences for the life of the implant. This is why Neuralink initially chose brain implants For the treatment of neurological diseases ! The consequences may be deplorable in 10 or 20 years, but if the treatment is successful, the patient will be able to get rid of neurological diseases that are sometimes very debilitating!
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