NEW LIGHT ON IMPLANTS : WOULD YOU? [+] serious ballot by passiveson ACTIVE Tue Feb 20, 07 - Thu Feb 19, 09 In recent history, people have received a number of types of implants from IUD's to breasts, pace makers to artificial joints and braces. But few, if any, ever interacted with the brain. Until now. Researchers have developed electrical stimulation devices known as cochlear implants. The devices are already restoring sound in the ear (brain), but a new device is now being tested, implanted to replace the retina. The artificial retina is designed to take the place of photoreceptor cells in the brain that are charged with capturing and processing light. An early version of the device implanted in six patients fared far better than its makers expected, allowing people who had been blinded for years to distinguish between simple objects, such as a cup, a plate and a knife. The device consists of a tiny camera mounted on a pair of glasses that transmits information to the implant, which is attached to the outside of the eyeball with a cable running to the retina in the back of the eye. Patients wear a pager-size transmitter on their belt, which handles the processing and powers the device. The proto-type only has six electrodes connecting to the eye, but the newer version has about 60 electrodes and is about a quarter the original half-inch size. Pretty cool! I'm still squirmish of accepting bodily implants but restoring my eyesight sheds new light on my reluctance. LOL My concern is the potential of mis-using the devices for other than the stated purposes. For instance, covertly spying on the people with implants by tapping into the source and observing what the donor sees and hears. Incriminating to say the least. So if you lost your sight, would you want it? Yes No Maybe Ballot #112459 : SEE RESULTS Comment: show your vote with comment?

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