Claire Bernish
The Free Thought Project
Over one-third of Americans would not only accept a microchip implant in their brain, but would be "enthusiastic" about the receiving the device to 'enhance their thinking power.'
Once the subject of dystopian science fiction novels, three emerging technologies served as a focal point for a new survey to glean the public's willingness to accept what many would call exceedingly invasive biomedical 'enhancements.'
Pew Research Center surveyed 4,726 adults — 47 of whom additionally agreed to participate in focus groups — to discern not only how well putative biomedical advancements might be received, but where the public stands on inherent ethical and moral questions arising from their use.
Given previous trepidations and warnings from government whistleblowers such technology could easily be employed for less than benevolent purposes, results proved a startling level of both acceptance and eagerness.
Keep in mind, every one of these technologies, while not yet widely available for elective use, are actively being developed — and though the majority of those surveyed expressed reservations for their use in otherwise healthy people, a significant number essentially said, 'sign me up.'
Though 69 percent of respondents claimed they would be "worried" about an implant — known as a neuroprosthesis — to improve cognitive abilities, fully 34 percent said they were "enthusiastic" about the idea. Largely divided along religious lines, many felt such invasive technology to improve the ability to think and process information would cross the line of "meddling" too much with nature.
But of the three biomedical 'improvements' in question, a microchip brain implant was perhaps the least Orwellian — as well as the least accepted.
Read more
The Free Thought Project
Over one-third of Americans would not only accept a microchip implant in their brain, but would be "enthusiastic" about the receiving the device to 'enhance their thinking power.'
Once the subject of dystopian science fiction novels, three emerging technologies served as a focal point for a new survey to glean the public's willingness to accept what many would call exceedingly invasive biomedical 'enhancements.'
Pew Research Center surveyed 4,726 adults — 47 of whom additionally agreed to participate in focus groups — to discern not only how well putative biomedical advancements might be received, but where the public stands on inherent ethical and moral questions arising from their use.
Given previous trepidations and warnings from government whistleblowers such technology could easily be employed for less than benevolent purposes, results proved a startling level of both acceptance and eagerness.
Keep in mind, every one of these technologies, while not yet widely available for elective use, are actively being developed — and though the majority of those surveyed expressed reservations for their use in otherwise healthy people, a significant number essentially said, 'sign me up.'
Though 69 percent of respondents claimed they would be "worried" about an implant — known as a neuroprosthesis — to improve cognitive abilities, fully 34 percent said they were "enthusiastic" about the idea. Largely divided along religious lines, many felt such invasive technology to improve the ability to think and process information would cross the line of "meddling" too much with nature.
But of the three biomedical 'improvements' in question, a microchip brain implant was perhaps the least Orwellian — as well as the least accepted.
Read more
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