• Question: Are people already working on modifying the human brain or is it something for the future?

    Asked by plantman to Alexis, Dr D, Helen, Jasmine, Mario on 19 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Alexis Barr

      Alexis Barr answered on 19 Jun 2013:

      There are many ways of modifying the human brain – some of which we already use. One really clever way if to treat people with Parkinson’s disease. Often people who have Parkinson’s have very severe shakes in their joints, particularly their hands, which makes life very difficult for them. Surgeons can now implant a little chip into the part of the brain that controls movement. This chip delivers tiny electric shocks to that part of the brain to stop the hands from shaking.

    • Photo: Andrew Devitt

      Andrew Devitt answered on 21 Jun 2013:

      @plantman
      Good answer from Alexis. We use drugs a lot to change our minds….

      I bet a lot of people will be doing that this weekend! A glass of wine ….. we do it all the time. Well, not whilst at work but you know what I mean.

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