Would you support the development of a "bionic" person? .....Yes.---but only because I imagine that this "bionic person" would be a mascot for the world of bionic technologies ...not its leader. I do feel that most people would not confuse a technologically sophisticated anthropomorphic robot with a real human being. The article we read in class referencing this idea talks about bionics as "mimicking" original, bodily functions ....mimicking does not make one so. Mimicking implies that a bionic man can parrot certain processes but can not have original reactions and responses to external stimuli. I can see the benefits of developing bionic technologies---especially for those who consider themselves disabled and wish to enhance their ability to overcome their disability.
How would you rate "the control of artificial limbs by thought alone"? ....The way that some neuroscientists in the 1990's took a bold interest in studying the brains of practiced meditators, I would be interested to see how the brain of someone fitted with an artificial limb controlled by 'thought alone' developed over time. What parts of the brain showed enhanced functioning? Would their brain waves resemble those of experienced meditators, given that a recipient would have to practice and master a form of concentration to operate their artificial limb? Also, I would be curious to know what other effects a recipient could describe---a subjective point of view. Besides enhancing their practical abilities, how has using a "mind controlled" limb altered their view of the world?
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