What is brain to brain interface (BBI)?
A brain to brain interface is a direct communication pathway between the brain of one animal and the brain of another animal. Brain to brain interfaces have been used to help rats collaborate with each other.[1]
The ability to transmit information between brains sounds extraordinary, but how can we use this technology and can it be developed in the future to revolutionise neuroscience – and what will the effect of this be?
BBIs transfer data from a sender to a receiver through a computer, which allows the sender to, essentially “telepathically” communicate with the receiver. In addition to this a BBI can be used to manipulate a receiver’s actions.[2] A brain to brain interface transfers data from a sender to a receiver through a computer, which allows the sender to, essentially, telepathically communicate with the receiver. In addition to this a brain to brain interface can be used to manipulate a receivers actions.
Can BBI’s be manipulated?
A study conducted by Rajesh Rao and Andrea Stocco, completed in 2013 [3], showed that, without any source of communication other than the brain to brain interfaces, a motor response could be created using an electroencephalogram – which extracts the information from the sender – and transcranial magnetic stimulation – which creates the response through sending a motor command to the brain. This study clearly shows that whilst this technology is in its infancy, there is substantial evidence of efficacy.
In conjunction with this discovery, brain to brain interfaces can be used to manipulate the actions of animals. A study conducted by Miguel Pais-Veira entitled Pais-Veira entitled “Human Mind Control of Rat Cyborgs Continuous Locomotion with Brain-to-Brain Interface” showed that it is possible to guide rats through a maze using brain to brain interfaces. This discovery not only implies that humans can increase their control over the animal kingdom, but that eventually, animals could also be used to access tighter spaces or areas that are unreachable, such as the deepest depths of the ocean.
Whilst the discoveries made in the development of this new technology are impressive, there are areas for development. Firstly, transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalograms are non-invasive; meaning that no surgery is needed. Therefore, the amount of motion that can be stimulated is limited compared to invasive techniques, such as the technology used for the cyborg rats, which had technology implanted into their brain, thus the information transferred in these tests is simple. This not only means that there must be the development of non-invasive technology (for the cyborg-rats), but it also means that there is already a method to help improve the precision of brain to brain interface – even though these methods are prohibited due to the risks.
An additional reason for the development of these techniques to be prohibited, is the moral complications of having technology that can force actions onto the subject; due to the stimulation being mechanical and thus there is no need for consent. As a result, there is a lot of necessary precaution in the production of such technology, due to the risks being so high. Consequently, there is a lack of support for researchers meaning that the development is Invasive BCI Non Invasive stunted. This issue can only be fixed once laws that prevent exploitation using this technology are made.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of BBIs?
As to any form of technology there are pros and cons. Brain to brain interface is smart technology, for example it can help disabled people move their prosthetic limbs easily. It has an ability for telepresence – an example of this advantage would be that it can allow military personnel to keep an eye on any suspicious activities taking place through a distance. This technology if implemented correctly can go as far as prevented road accidents.
However, the research is still in its beginning stages meaning the current technology is crude. Ethical issues may arise from this form of invasive technology as the electrodes are placed inside the skill creating a scar tissue in the brain as the electrode outside of the skull can detect very few electric signals from the brain.
So, what should people hope for in the future? As the understanding of neurology improves, it is clear that brain to brain interfaces will become more and more precise, allowing the transmission of data between two subjects to become increasingly complex with Andrea Stocco expressing that, “The holy grail of BB1 would be sharing rich content that cannot be better expressed in words, such as emotions and feelings”.
Ipshita Rishi, Youth Medical Journal 2022
References
[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain%E2%80%93brain_interface
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.01177/full
[3] Rao, Rajesh & Stocco, Andrea & Bryan, Matthew & Sarma, Devapratim & Youngquist, Tiffany & Wu, Joseph & Prat, Chantel. (2014). A Direct Brain-to-Brain Interface in Humans. PLoS ONE. 9. e111332. 10.1371/journal.pone.0111332.
Youth Medical Journal 