Wired have a rather scary story about military interest/concern about future moves to modify the brains of soldiers, either pharmaceutically or technologically:
In a recent report, unearthed by Secrecy News, the JASONs are recommending that the American military push ahead with its own performance-enhancement research — and monitor foreign studies — to make sure that the U.S.’ enemies don’t suddenly become smarter, faster, or better able to endure the harsh realities of war than American troops.
The JASONs are particularly concerned about (and excited by) new drugs that promote “brain plasticity” — rewiring the mind, essentially, by helping to “permanently establishing new neural pathways, and thus new cognitive capabilities.” The military has already tested these neuro-modulators as a way to keep troops alert after sleepless nights…
…The scientific group also wants the military to keep close watch on the hardware and software which connects the human brain to machines. American researchers have used these brain-computer interfaces to develop new prosthetics — and to train monkeys to control robotic limbs. Northrop Grumman just won a Pentagon contract to develop binoculars that will tap the subconscious mind. The JASONs believe “the primary threat potential for adversarial use of a Brain-Computer interface “may arise in a feedback mode, in which a the interface provides a soldier with a simple signal or a pain/pleasure pulse in response to externally provided situational information.”
We’re so evolved, our primary concern with enhancement technology is still figuring out the best way to use it to kill other humans. Yay for us.
