Our
View: Brainwashed sharks patrol high
seas
A
rather cruel scientist waits with controller
in hand. Meanwhile, a swimmer enjoys
the water, never knowing what dangers
lurk in the deep. In a scene reminiscent
of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” a
shark swims silently upwards like a watery
bullet toward the swimmer. The swimmer,
seeing the predator coming to attack,
swims frantically thinking he will surely
lose a limb.
Just kidding. The scientist laughs as he pushes a button causing the shark
to turn its course. The swimmer doesn’t laugh, however, as relief sets
over him. The scientist has just played God, using his controller to manipulate
the shark’s mind to do his bidding.
Does this sound crazy? It’s not. Is it real? Quite possibly.
According to NewScientist.com, “Engineers funded by the U.S. military
have created a neural implant designed to enable a shark’s brain signals
to be manipulated remotely, controlling the animal’s movements, and perhaps
even decoding what it is feeling…the Pentagon hopes to exploit sharks’ natural
ability to glide quietly through the water…[it hopes] to transform the
animals into stealth spies…”
Wow. It’s said that news is defined by the following saying: Dog bites
man is not news; man bites dog is. Change that saying to shark bites man because
of remote control and the Washington Post has a new headline.
So the question arises: Should the U.S. military be allowed to fund projects
that control animals rather then merely training them? After all, they currently
train dolphins for military purposes as well. And, is it ethical to physically
control the mind of a helpless, yet infamously aggressive killer?
Yes to the first question. Maybe to the second.
Considering the first question, the U.S. military should have whatever means
are at its disposal to keep this country ahead. It should be able to fund projects
to make sure the American people are protected and can fight when needed. After
all, the American military doesn’t work for its own benefit. It works
for the advantage of our nation and ultimately, our security from the dangers
abroad.
The second question is a more difficult one. Controlling the mind of another
being, human or not, is arguably like playing God, so to speak.
Who are we to control animals?
Maybe it is ethical, however, if the controlled animals are used for benevolent
purposes. Consider this example. According to
NewScientist.com, John Chapin, a New York researcher, developed a way for rats
with brain implants to detect target chemicals commonly used in bombs.
The article said, “The New York Police Department is considering recruiting
Chapin’s rats to its disaster response team, where they could be used
to detect bombs or even trapped people...”
Given this, maybe the U.S. military can be more ethical if it uses sharks to
rescue drowning swimmers instead of finding enemy submarines or underwater
bombs.
Move over, Flipper. Jaws is on his way.
The scenario here is a difficult one to decide because the potential for good
is equally strong as the potential for bad. What if humans could be controlled
using implants in the same way? Then “the man” would finally take
over.
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