Forget guns, tanks and other conventional weapons. Tomorrow’s battles may take the form of mind control. Military scientists are working on technologies that can effectively infiltrate enemy brains. These “neuroweapons” will have a major impact on how tomorrow’s wars are waged.
Scientists are discovering how the brain works and are increasingly using that knowledge to develop drugs that can shut down the brain, make prisoners reveal closely guarded secrets, and even implant super “chips” in soldiers to locate an enemy. Brain-machine interfaces could unite human brains with sophisticated computer programs. Analysts could mine enemy brains and extract vast caches of intelligence data. Fighter pilots’ minds could link up with computer search algorithms and quickly zero in on an enemy target.
Advanced psychopharmacological drugs could be developed that can enhance a soldier’s performance—to remain alert with far less sleep, magnify their perceptual powers, and wipe out stressful combat memories that cause PTSD. Other drugs, microbial agents and toxins include a shellfish neurotoxin in aerosol form that can kill in minutes; a bacterium that can induce hallucinations; and an amoebic microbe that invades the olfactory nerve to reach and kill brain tissue.
The idea of neuroweapons raises a number of ethical and legal concerns. Some scientists have already begun resisting their development, arguing that they consider their use illegal and immoral in military applications purposes.
While the US military has begun to invest in brain-related research, it’s hard to get a handle on how much research is being conducted in this area. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, currently conducts neuroscience-related projects that include Accelerated Learning, Neurotechnology for Intelligence Analysts and Cognitive Technology Threat Warning System.
If you’re contemplating a brain science career or looking for a job in the field, you should consider the ethical implications of applying your work to military applications.
For an added perspective, check out this video:
If you have any thoughts on neuroweapons research, feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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