The industry of health and medicine is not the same today as it was some twenty years ago because of technological advancement. What seemed to be impossible in the past is now possible with the help of progressing technology. What we used to watch in movies, thinking that it’s pure fiction is now becoming reality. Like Transcendence, a movie in which a scientist, Will’s consciousness is uploaded into a quantum computer to save by his wife. Uploading consciousness seemed impossible at that time but today scientists are making this possible. Similarly, in the Replicas movie in which a scientist transfers the minds of his family into cloned bodies, and also creates a synthetic mind-body interface. Clones and mind-body interfaces are also being created as we speak. Nothing seems unbelievable now. Everything we can think of can be created.
The three ongoing secret medical research which makes the revolution for mankind are —
- Neuralink
- First Human Head Transplantation
- Fully cure cancer treatment
Neuralink
Neuralink is creating a fully integrated Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) system that enables a computer or other digital device to communicate directly with the brain. Neuralink is placing electrodes near neurons to detect action potentials. The electrodes are needed to be attached directly to access fine-scale information. Neuralink believes that by stimulating the right temporal sequences, it is possible to create patterns of activity that produce the desired sensation. Stimulation can also decrease the pathological patterns of activity that occur in neurological disorders, like reducing movement deficits in Parkinson’s disease.
Neuralink is designing the first neural implant that will let us control a computer or mobile device anywhere we go.
Micron-scale threads are placed into areas of the brain that control movement. Each thread contains many electrodes and connects them to an implant, the Link.
This Link will be a Sealed, implanted machine that processes, stimulate, and transmits neural signals. However, Its threads are extremely fine and flexible so they can’t be inserted by the human hand. Thus, they are also building a robotic system that the neurosurgeon can use to efficiently insert these threads exactly where they need to be. And The Neuralink app would allow us to control our iOS device, keyboard, and mouse directly with the activity of our brain, just by thinking about it.
Their initial goal is to help people with paralysis to regain independence through the control of computers and mobile devices. Their devices are designed to help people to communicate more easily via text or speech synthesis, to follow their curiosity, or to express their creativity through photography, art, or apps.
At-A-Glance
- Neuralink is creating a system that will facilitate a computer or other digital device to communicate directly with the human brain.
- Neuralink believes that it is possible to create patterns of activity that produce the desired sensation, like the feel of an object in the hand or a visual image.
- It is designing the first neural implant that will let us control a computer or mobile device anywhere we go.
- Their original goal is to support people with paralysis to regain independence through the control of computers and mobile devices.
- This technology will cure a wide range of neurological disorders, restore sensory and movement function, and eventually expand how we interact with each other.
The Link will be revolutionary for mankind as it is the starting point for a new kind of brain interface. This technology has the potential to cure a wide range of neurological disorders, restore sensory and movement function, and eventually expand how we interact with each other, with the world, and with ourselves.
First Human Head Transplantation
According to many, head transplantation is considered an impossible surgical procedure. However, recent advances suggest that the first human head transplantation might be possible. This surgery promises a life-saving procedure for individuals who suffer from a terminal illness, but whose heads and brains are healthy.
Recently, the first cephalosomatic anastomosis in a human model was successfully conducted, confirming the surgical feasibility of the procedure, but still not the real outcome. Suspicion and several considerations, including surgical, ethical, and psychosocial issues, have appeared in the scientific community since this imaginary method seems to be more possible than ever before.
Canavero al illustrated a model for head transplantation in human beings. In 2017, Ren al successfully performed cephalosomatic anastomosis using a human cadaver.
Although it’s theoretically possible, elements like variability between the species are prominent hurdles, which make the assumption of feasibility in a living human. Key elements in the procedure, like functional spinal cord fusion etc. are still uncertain.
At-A-Glance
- Human head transplantation is now possible. In patients with terminal conditions but intact brain function, it would be life-saving.
- Its purpose is to provide a life-saving procedure to patients who are terminally ill without any indication of pathology concerning the head or the brain, in the background that there is no other treatment.
- Ren al successfully performed cephalosomatic anastomosis using a human cadaver.
- The key elements in the treatment like functional spinal cord fusion and post-operative pain control, are still uncertain.
- Due to it several concerns including major surgical, ethical, psychosocial and immunological dilemmas have emerged.
It will bring a revolutionary change in mankind as theoretically, head transplantation when performed in patients with terminal conditions but intact brain function would be life-saving. However, The scientific debate on this topic remains active. Sooner or later, the technique is imminent. But under recent circumstances, the first attempt would be unethical if it occurred.
Fully cure cancer treatment
New drug Dostarlimab .
A small clinical trial discovered that every single rectal cancer patient who got an experimental therapy saw their disease cured. It will bring a revolutionary change in mankind as it is the “first time in history” and indeed a miracle. According to the New York Times, 18 patients took a drug named Dostarlimab for six months in a restricted clinical trial done by Memorial Sloan Cancer Centre, and all of them observed their tumors shrink at the end.
The patients took Dostarlimab every three weeks for six months. They all were in similar stages of their cancer. The cancer was locally progressive in the rectum but had not spread to other organs.
Researchers wrote in the study published in the media forum that ‘At the time of this report, no patients had acquired chemoradiotherapy or undergone surgery, and no cases of progression or recurrence had been registered during follow-up,’.
Specialists declared that Dostarlimab is likely to be a ‘possible’ cancer cure. Dostarlimab is a drug made in a lab that processes as a surrogate for antibodies in the human body.
Moreover, The trial was praised because not all of the participants experienced severe side effects from the medication trial.
According to researchers who studied medicine, Dostarlimab seems to be promising, but a larger-scale trial is needed before giving conclusions.
At-A-Glance
- A small trial revealed that every single rectal cancer patient who got an experimental therapy saw their disease cured.
- According to the New York Times, 18 patients took a drug named Dostarlimab for six months in a restricted trial done by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, and their tumors shrank.
- Dostarlimab is a lab medicine that processes as a surrogate for antibodies in the human body.
- The trial is hailed because no one in the participants experienced severe side effects from it.
- According to researchers, Dostarlimab, seems promising, but a larger-scale trial is needed.
Conclusion
Every day, we hear things about new technological breakthroughs and inventions. These advancements in technology have taken over the world and are leading it to great transformation. But there are bad things that come out of technology also. Sooner or later, the procedure will take place. Are we ready to face the consequences? The more extraordinary an invention is…the more harm it causes when used inaccurately. Are we ready to accept the recent advances and make a step forward? We should think about whether we are ready or not to surpass not only the practical obstacles but also our doubts and fears.
