Human Enhancement and Brain-Computer Interfaces

One way to define 'transhumanism' is the use of technology or applied reason to improve all aspects of human functioning. But that definition focuses more on the "human enhancement" side of the movement - human enhancement being the modification of physical or mental processes via technology.

An almost trivial example of human enhancement would be the use of herbs such as ginkgo biloba for its nootropic effects (nootropics are drugs that enhance mental performance), while a more serious example would be the use of an artificial limb; and a final example would be the installation of a brain-computer interface into the body, which in my opinion would fall legitimately into the transhuman category.

A brain-computer interface (also known as a direct neural interface) is a device that allows interaction between a brain and a computer that requires no physical output from the user. That is, computer operations can be performed merely by thinking of them happening. Experiments with BCIs were first conducted at Duke University by neurobiologist Miguel Nicolelis, in which he put microwires into the brains of monkeys so they could learn to control a computer cursor.

First, the monkeys used joysticks to manipulate the cursor and upon success were rewarded with a sip of fruit juice. But after a period of time, the researchers unplugged the joysticks and the monkeys - still seeking the juice reward - noticed they could move the cursor simply by thinking of it being in motion.

Brain plasticity is the brain's ability to adapt and create new neural pathways, and this is the quality responsible for the monkey's ability to control the cursor with only their thoughts. Therefore the scientists realized it was possible for mammalian brains to actually assimilate machines; i.e. the monkeys could control the machines as extensions of their own bodies.

But what about humans?

In 2001, Matt Nagle was paralyzed from the neck down after an almost fatal stabbing incident in which his spinal cord was completely severed. Shortly after, Nagle volunteered for the BrainGate experiments conducted at Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, a company founded by John Donoghue (also head of neuroscience at Brown University), and so Nagle became the first human to have a brain-computer interface installed.

The BrainGate Neural Interface allowed Nagle to establish a direct link between a computer and his brain. The Utah electrode array is a 4-millimeter silicon chip that was placed on the surface of his brain to embed 100 microelectrodes onto his motor cortex region - the section responsible for arm and hand movement. When Nagle thought about moving his arm up or down, his brain would transmit certain neural patterns through a cable that was connected to his skull, and then on to an amplifier on the side of his wheelchair. Once there, the neural patterns were converted to data that a computer could process, then the BrainGate used that data to control a cursor. After realizing Nagle could generate the necessary patterns for arm movement, the rest was only a matter of engineering for him to compose email, play computer games, control a television set, turn lights on and off, even open and close a prosthetic hand (making him the first person in history to control an artificial limb with his thoughts).

But Nagle no longer has the BrainGate interface. It was removed after 13 months due to the unknown dangers of long-term use. In every experiment with brain implants, inflammation of brain tissue has been detected (although monkeys have survived over five years with them installed). The inflammation eventually distorts the signals detected by the electrodes and computer manipulations become less accurate. Also, brains have the potential to entirely reject implants, although no cases have been known.

Research is currently being done into non-invasive procedures for BCIs. Skullcaps fitted with electrodes have been tested, and enough neural activity has been detected to allow control of an onscreen cursor, just as in the case of monkeys. But the signals received aren't nearly as strong as the invasive implants, and thus aren't accurate enough to accomplish the tasks Nagle learned to perform.

The future of brain-computer interface research looks promising. It is thought that eventually paraplegics will be able to control numerous sophisticated devices simply by thought alone. For example, it's believed in the future they'll be able to wear suits similar to exoskeletons that will allow them to walk. Or electrodes will be connected to the paraplegics' muscles so their brains can send normal signals for movement, thus allowing their muscles to function by completely bypassing the spinal cord.

Another BCI scenario: Imagine you're wearing goggles and you're seeing through the eyes of a robot. You can control the robot with your thoughts. If you think of yourself running, the robot will run. If you think of lifting a gun and firing, the robot will raise a gun and shoot. The U.S. Department of Defense sees the future of war as soldiers controlling robots on battlefields by thought alone. These robots will have the human intelligence of a soldier coupled with a total disregard for bodily harm.

And BCIs don't even have to be in living bodies to function. Thomas DeMarse, a biomedical engineer in Gainesville, Florida put 25,000 neurons from the brain of a rat on a grid with 60 electrodes. The electrodes were set in a dish with a special fluid to keep the neurons alive. Then he filmed the neurons as they connected naturally to form a brain network. Next, he connected the brain to a computer running a flight simulator program for an F-22 fighter jet. The new brain formed from rat neurons learned how to fly the plane by receiving flight data!

Soon BCIs will be on the market to help you fulfill all your transhuman needs, but be aware that they'll be quite expensive, costing as much as $20,000 or more.