Researchers with Korea’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has developed a hardware which manipulates the brain from a distance using magnetic fields.
The new remote, ‘long-range’ and ‘large-volume’ mind control device unveiled in South Korea, was tested by inducing ‘maternal’ instincts in their female test subjects: mice.
According to Dr Cheon Jinwoo, the professor of chemistry and nanomedicine who helped spearhead the new effort, “This is the world’s first technology to freely control specific brain regions using magnetic fields”.
He added that there was an expectation that the new hardware to be used for a variety of healthcare applications where needed.
“We expect it to be widely used in research to understand brain functions, sophisticated artificial neural networks, two-way brain-computer interface technologies, and new treatments for neurological disorders”. Dr Cheon said.
The research and findings added by South Korea’s IBS team was the genetic fabrication of specialized nanomaterials.
The technique, previously called magneto-mechanical genetics (MMG), aided Dr Cheon and his colleagues as they developed their brain-modulating technology utilizing carefully selected magnetic fields.
This new technology is mostly intended for helping health researchers understand which parts of the brain and the rest of the neurological system are responsible for which moods and other behaviors.
Meanwhile, in Spain, Dr. Leroy warned against rushing into human testing too quickly.
“Further studies are needed to assess potential cumulative effects, including neuroadaptation or neurotoxicity,’ Dr Leroy advised.