Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 I came across this story earlier today: Quote A team of Yale University scientists were able to restore some function to a dead pig’s brain four hours after it’d been decapitated, a new study published in Nature on Wednesday said. While consciousness or awareness was not restored to the brains, many other parts of the organ and a lot of cellular function either came back or were preserved in the study, creating an ethical conundrum for bioethicists and scientists who are struggling to understand how this will change what separates the living and the dead, the research team told NPR News. “It was mind-blowing,” said Nita Farahany, who examines the ethics of emerging technology at Duke Law School. “My initial reaction was pretty shocked. It’s a groundbreaking discovery, but it also really fundamentally changes a lot of what the existing beliefs are in neuroscience about the irreversible loss of brain function once there is deprivation of oxygen to the brain.” The scientists gathered around 300 pig heads from a local slaughterhouse, removed the brains, placed them in an experimental chamber and, using their developed technology “BrainEx“, pumped them with a special formula of chemicals for six hours, starting around four hours after the pigs died, NPR reported. “We found that tissue and cellular structure is preserved and cell death is reduced. In addition, some molecular and cellular functions were restored,” said Nenad Sestan, a neuroscientist at the Yale School of Medicine. “This is not a living brain, but it is a cellularly active brain.” However, the team was “actively worried about” it getting close to the activity of a living brain, Stephen Latham, a Yale bioethicist, told NPR. https://nypost.com/2019/04/17/zombie-pigs-could-help-restore-brain-cells-study/ I have such mixed feelings on this story. On the one hand, it's absolutely hilarious in a morbid way, but on the other it's extremely frightening. I figured it was worth creating a topic for due to the possible pros, cons and ethical dilemmas. In the words of @Ser Scot A Ellison, "Discuss." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maarsen Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Did anyone give them a hat to wear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martell Spy Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 I was reading that too. Alas there will be no Daredevil-style resurrections anytime soon. The part of the article on consciousness was terrifying. Waking up and being a brain in a jar is pretty scary, but I guess there is worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragile Bird Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Between pigs with re-activated brains and apes given brain cell implants and developing improved skills, the future envisaged in science fiction is unfolding. Not to worry, though, climate change will wipe out the planet before you need to worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 1 hour ago, Fragile Bird said: Between pigs with re-activated brains and apes given brain cell implants and developing improved skills, the future envisaged in science fiction is unfolding. Not to worry, though, climate change will wipe out the planet before you need to worry about it. To be honest though BIRD!, given that you’re more than twice my age, I doubt you’ll see the true horrors of the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragile Bird Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 35 minutes ago, Tywin et al. said: To be honest though BIRD!, given that you’re more than twice my age, I doubt you’ll see the true horrors of the future. Hey, I have often said I expected that I would be dead before the worst effects of climate change were felt, but now I figure I will actually live long enough to see really nasty stuff happen. Climate change is happening much, much faster than expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlle. Zabzie Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I am more excited than scared. The ethical implications are there, and obvious, and perhaps daunting, but the possibilities for, e.g., Alzheimer's patients, stroke victims, etc., are pretty nifty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 12 minutes ago, Fragile Bird said: Hey, I have often said I expected that I would be dead before the worst effects of climate change were felt, but now I figure I will actually live long enough to see really nasty stuff happen. Climate change is happening much, much faster than expected. But will you be around when we introduce “freedom” to your country and liberate your water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 I've been dabbling Warhammer 40K a fair amount recently, so my first thought was "Oh, alright then. I guess servitors are going to become a real thing after all." Beyond that, I totally understand the ethical implications, but I think, if properly used, this technology could be incredibly exciting, if it advances far enough. Being a living brain in a jar seems terrifying, but being a living brain in a cyborg body, I'd give consent to have that happen after I die. So long as there's legislation giving me the same rights as a human; I've read enough science fiction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 19 minutes ago, Fez said: I've been dabbling Warhammer 40K a fair amount recently, so my first thought was "Oh, alright then. I guess servitors are going to become a real thing after all." Are you talking about the old table game where you have to paint the little creators? Or is there some newer version? Quote Beyond that, I totally understand the ethical implications, but I think, if properly used, this technology could be incredibly exciting, if it advances far enough. Being a living brain in a jar seems terrifying, but being a living brain in a cyborg body, I'd give consent to have that happen after I die. So long as there's legislation giving me the same rights as a human; I've read enough science fiction. You’re in luck my friend. I read an article a year or so ago that projected that anyone born after the mid 80’s will likely live long enough to become a cyborg. The world is ours!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 8 minutes ago, Tywin et al. said: Are you talking about the old table game where you have to paint the little creators? Or is there some newer version? The tabletop game (I've played a few of the video games over the years, most aren't very good); the 8th edition came out a couple years ago and seems to be going strong. Never thought I'd get into assembling and painting miniatures, but turns out I still have something of a creative side. My record actually playing the game leaves something to be desired so far though. Quote You’re in luck my friend. I read an article a year or so ago that projected that anyone born after the mid 80’s will likely live long enough to become a cyborg. The world is ours!!! Yeah, let's do this!! Who needs breathable air when you've got titanium lungs?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 11 minutes ago, Fez said: The tabletop game (I've played a few of the video games over the years, most aren't very good); the 8th edition came out a couple years ago and seems to be going strong. Never thought I'd get into assembling and painting miniatures, but turns out I still have something of a creative side. My record actually playing the game leaves something to be desired so far though. I used to love playing it as a kid. I was a spoiled brat and had the complete set of Tyranids, which was arguably the best class at the time. My friends and I hung out at a comic book/card game store and in between tournaments we’d play 40k. Some games lasted for days and we’d just leave our stuff there. Quote Yeah, let's do this!! Who needs breathable air when you've got titanium lungs?! I’m more worried about the other hypothetical immortality: having your consciousness uploaded to a computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlle. Zabzie Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 3 hours ago, Tywin et al. said: I used to love playing it as a kid. I was a spoiled brat and had the complete set of Tyranids, which was arguably the best class at the time. My friends and I hung out at a comic book/card game store and in between tournaments we’d play 40k. Some games lasted for days and we’d just leave our stuff there. I’m more worried about the other hypothetical immortality: having your consciousness uploaded to a computer. I'm ok with both, and will happily draft your undying will for you so that you can choose which version you would prefer. Also, I have something of a vested professional interest in the singularity occurring - at that point, the only thing that is inevitable will be taxes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Yeah, depending on the exact circumstances, I'd also be okay with becoming a bunch of digital data. Although, that one seems a bit tricky in terms of ensuring that it's still me and not a copy of me and also that there don't end up being two mes; the fleshy original and the sleek digital. But none of this gestalt group mind stuff, I wanna be my own, independent mind; free to waste all my processing power, if I so choose, playing video games incredibly quickly. What a time to be "alive". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlle. Zabzie Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 12 minutes ago, Fez said: Yeah, depending on the exact circumstances, I'd also be okay with becoming a bunch of digital data. Although, that one seems a bit tricky in terms of ensuring that it's still me and not a copy of me and also that there don't end up being two mes; the fleshy original and the sleek digital. But none of this gestalt group mind stuff, I wanna be my own, independent mind; free to waste all my processing power, if I so choose, playing video games incredibly quickly. What a time to be "alive". See, both "yous" would be taxpayers. Isn't it grand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 39 minutes ago, Mlle. Zabzie said: I'm ok with both, and will happily draft your undying will for you so that you can choose which version you would prefer. Also, I have something of a vested professional interest in the singularity occurring - at that point, the only thing that is inevitable will be taxes But once you get sucked into the digital space, taxes will cease to exist. Also, there are three inevitabilities in life: death, taxes and Phillip Rivers being down 7, needing to drive the length of the field with a minute left to play. There’s your daily dose of sport ball, MZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mance Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 26 minutes ago, Mlle. Zabzie said: See, both "yous" would be taxpayers. Isn't it grand? As if we'd still have a need for squishy meatbags to do anyone's taxes. Or even that anyone will still have any taxable income once the robots take all our jobs. No, you, I'm afraid, will be manacled to a hamster wheel down at the battery factory, just like the rest of us filthy breathers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlle. Zabzie Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Just now, The Mance said: As if we'd still have a need for squishy meatbags to do anyone's taxes. Or even that anyone will still have any taxable income once the robots take all our jobs. No, you, I'm afraid, will be manacled to a hamster wheel down at the battery factory, just like the rest of us filthy breathers. Oh, there will always be taxable income. Your imagination is limited. And I'm old enough to be chief robot in charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chatywin et al. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 3 minutes ago, Mlle. Zabzie said: Oh, there will always be taxable income. Your imagination is limited. And I'm old enough to be chief robot in charge. A day will come, capitalist swine, when mankind will have no need for money!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A True Kaniggit Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 52 minutes ago, Tywin et al. said: A day will come, capitalist swine, when mankind will have no need for money!!! Yep. After the Zombie Pigs eat us all. Or I should say, you all. My zombie hideout is impenetrable. Unless........ Wait, can Zombie Pigs climb?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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