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vibrationally, for inducement into the brain, typically through the spots on silicon or glass chips and then induce the brain cells to use of loudspeakers, earphones or piezoelectric transducers."* grow along desired paths."* This device had limited practicality in that it required the person to The other possibility is that both brain cells and computer be in contact with or in close proximity to the sending device. hardware could be built in the laboratories, creating, perhaps, the When examined together, each of these patents is seen to be a first biologically augmented computers. discrete step toward a new weapon system. In 1995, it was reported that in the early research, clear sound = What's on Your Mind? signals had been sent and received. It is difficult now to determine A significant initiative was started for use in creating counter- what level of military or other research was being advanced in drug measures: the Brain Imaging Technology Initiative. "This these areas. The history is clear from congressional reports that initiative establishes NIDA [National Institute on Drug Abuse] this entire area was of great interest to the intelligence regional neuroimaging centers and represents an interagency communities. According to Scientists for Global Responsibility: cooperative endeavor funded by CTAC [Counterdrug Technology "Drs Alan Frey and Joseph Sharp conducted related research. Assessment Center], Department of Energy (DOE), and NIDA to Sharp himself took part in these experiments and reported that he develop new scientific tools (new radiotracers and technologies) heard and understood words transmitted in pulse-microwave for understanding the mechanisms of addiction and for the analogs of the speaker's sound vibrations. Commenting on these evaluation of new pharmacological treatments." Through studies, Dr Robert Becker, twice nominated for the Nobel Peace neuroimaging, not only could the stated objective be achieved, but Prize, observed that such a device has obvious through imaging a person's emotional states applications in covert operations designed to could be mapped, chemical influences drive a target crazy with voices, or deliver determined and perhaps even specific thoughts undetectable instructions to a potential read. assassin." Back in 1975, Physics Today reported: Then, in 1996 came another development, "Developments in ways to measure the a "wireless communication system extremely weak magnetic fields emanating undetectable by radio frequency methods for from organs such as the heart, brain and lungs converting audio signals, including human are leading to important new methods for voice, to electronic signals in the ultrasonic diagnosing abnormal conditions." frequency range, transmitting the ultrasonic In other words, In 1995, a system for capturing and signal by means of acoustic bressute waves the device reads your decoding brain signals was patented which across a carrier medium, including gases, . . includes a transducer for stimulating a person iquids, or solids, and reconverting the mind by comparing and EEG transducers for recording brainwave persone acoustical pressure wares, your brain activity signals from the person. It an includes ack to the original audio signal". * ' a computer for controlling an Although this was meant to be used with to other people S. synchronising stimuli presented to the oth receiving and sending hardware, person and at the same time recording what was determine: were the brainwave signals, and ___ either modulation methods for transferring the interpreting these signals using a model signal. for conceptual, perceptual and emotional The real work was yet to be made ublic in the form of patents. However, the military claims in the area were starting to surface. What was known from experience was that patents were thought to correspond to the EEG signals of the person's thoughts or comparing the signals to normal brain signals from a normal population to diagnose and locate the origin of brain-dysfunctional being held back by the government and underlying perception, conception and confiscated by the military. When this emotion.*' In other words, the device intellectual property was seized, the inventors were given a choice: reads your mind by comparing your brain activity to other people's. work for the government, or you cannot continue research or even In 1996 came this Orwellian development: "...a method for talk about your invention under a national security order. Those remotely determining information relating to a person's emotional who did not cooperate could have their work effectively shut state, as waveform energy having a predetermined frequency and a down. redetermined intensity is generated and wirelessly transmitted towards a remotely located subject. Waveform energy emitted Brain-to-Computer Connections from the subject is detected and automatically analyzed to derive Major steps are being made to connect biology to information information relating to the individual's emotional state. technology. Physiological or physical parameters of blood pressure, pulse rate, In 1990 came the news that "[s]cientists have succeeded for the upil size, respiration rate and perspiration level are measured and first time in establishing a colony of human brain cells that divide compared with reference values to provide information utilizable and grow in laboratory dishes, an achievement with profound in evaluating [an] interviewee's responses or possibly criminal implications for understanding and treating a wide range of _ intent in security sensitive areas."” This technology could be used neurological disorders from epilepsy to Alzheimer's disease".” for determining what a person might do, given his totally According to a report in the Wall Street Journal in February discernible interior emotions. This technology walks through any 1994: "Researchers said they took a key first step toward creating ehaviour wall a person can erect and goes straight to the brain to electronic microchips that use living brain cells. The researchers see what may be on a person's mind. said they had learned how to place embryonic brain cells in desired Inducing behaviour rather than just reading a person's emotional spots on silicon or glass chips and then induce the brain cells to grow along desired paths."* The other possibility is that both brain cells and computer hardware could be built in the laboratories, creating, perhaps, the first biologically augmented computers. the device reads your mind by comparing your brain activity to other people's. Brain-to-Computer Connections Major steps are being made to connect biology to information technology. In 1990 came the news that "[s]cientists have succeeded for the first time in establishing a colony of human brain cells that divide and grow in laboratory dishes, an achievement with profound implications for understanding and treating a wide range of neurological disorders from epilepsy to Alzheimer's disease".” According to a report in the Wall Street Journal in February 1994: "Researchers said they took a key first step toward creating electronic microchips that use living brain cells. The researchers said they had learned how to place embryonic brain cells in desired 36 = NEXUS APRIL — MAY 2006 In other words, www.nexusmagazi ne.com