I don’t know what to make of this story. Is it more scientific hubris? A good idea that must be handled with extreme care, lest it turn out to be a very bad idea? Or just irresponsible twits in lab coats messing around with the brain.
Scientists at the Salk Institute of Biological Sciences, in San Diego, are experimenting with the levels of the chemical dopamine in the brains of mice, to see if changing the level of dopamine can change whatever decision the mouse might make ( http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4297698/Dopamine-brain-shape-decisions-make.html ). Dopamine is a “neurotransmitter”: it facilitates the passage of information within the brain.
Perhaps it ought to be pointed out that any decisions mice are called upon to make are not likely to be very consequential.
Researchers say they may be on track to really help patients suffering from OCD or Parkinson’s Disease–which would indeed be a great blessing, devoutly to be wished. Like, what if OCD sufferers didn’t get hung up on details? Wouldn’t that be great?
If only we could trust our scientists!
No problem–they’ll find a way to get inside our brains and make us trust ’em.
Man without God’s guidance is no safer than a runaway train.