Oh, dear...60 Minutes story on BrainGate Technology

[dawgmom]

60 Minutes did a very moving story tonight on BrainGate technology:
http://www.cyberkineticsinc.com/content/medicalproducts/braingate.jsp
which has the potential to change the lives of people with "locked in" syndrome (ALS, stroke survivors, etc. with intact brain function but no control of their bodies). Clinical trials now ongoing at Mass General and elsewhere.

My expression of dismay is because I can just see the fear-of-science people coming out of the woodwork on this one. "OH, no!!! They're implanting things in people's brains!!! Mind control, Mind control!"

[TZ]

1. Yes

Actually something like this was once posted in the science forum and it was definitely OH NOES the CIA is gonna use this agaisnt us

[dawgmom]

2. Well, considering that the original seed money came from DOD...

...this one has everything the paranoids need. DOD funded the early research, thinking it could be used for pilots to control airplanes remotely.

Just made me sad to think about someone having that kind of reaction to this possible breakthrough. I was watching it and saying "Wow, that is so cool!" and thinking about a friend's Mom who lived inside the prison of her body for nearly 10 years before she died, due to ALS. I wish I could live long enough to see all the amazing medical breakthroughs this century will bring us.

[Warpy]

3. I've worked in neuro units with locked in patients

and the best we could do for some of them were keyboards activated by eye blinks--if they could control eye blinks.

I have a cousin newly diagnosed with ALS. I just hope this stuff comes through the pipeline in time to help her cope.

[dawgmom]

4. I'm sorry about your cousin

It's a terrible, terrible, terrible disease, and would be my worst nightmare.

Let's hope for more than that -- let's hope that research will find ways to slow the progression of the disease, or better yet, will find a cure.

[Warpy]

5. Ha! She feels sorry for ME

because she says at least her illness doesn't hurt!

[dawgmom]

6. Well, in that case...

...you have my sympathies, and my empathy. Dealing with chronic pain sucks (to use a technical term). :(