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Research on the human brain has been attracting more and more scientists in recent years, just like the booming hi-tech industry.One of the latest research topics is how to change the human brain or combine the computer and the human brain, i.e.to transplant a chip into o human brain.This innovation(改革)may make everyone’s dream come true.If we compare a human brain to a hard disc, what the scientists are doing is to enlarge the applicable capacity of the hard disc.For the time being, there are some difficulties in such transplant experiments, but scientists never give up.
Experiments have started on animals.In 1996, a transplant experiment performed at the Defense and Military Physiology Research Institute in the U.S.turned a bear into a dolphin.
The dolphin was named Ted, and the bear was named Tallin.Using the most advanced technology available, deep and detailed images were made of the memory area in Ted’s brain containing information about swimming by the scientists.They obtained a series of useful information, the signals transferred by the nervous system.Such information was saved into a button-sized chip, which was then transplanted into the action memory area in Tallin’s brain.The information saved on the chip was released by means of electric power.
Recently, another comprehensive memory transplant was performed at the Motor Never Research Institute of the University of California.The comprehensive memory transplanted in the experiment included actions, moods, logic, words, images, etc.The experiment involved an entire transplant of the memory area.This was the largest such experiment done so far.
The transplant was performed making a transfer from a dog named“Genius”to a dog named“Idiot”.“Genius”could understand and follow up to 100 gestures and orders made by its master.It was a real genius in memorizing.“Idiot”was the younger brother of“Genius”.It had no contact with people at all since its birth.It became an animal with nothing in its brain, without any memory.
The operation was a complete success.When the two dogs woke up.“Idiot”had grasped all the abilities“Genius”possessed; it was good at memorizing and sensible.It could follow every gesture and any command given by its master.But“Genius”gave no response to its master, and in fact did not recognize him at all.
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