German researchers have created a microchip that shows promise to restore limited sight for some forms of inherited blindness. The device contains 1,540 photodiodes (similar to pixels in a camera) that connect directly to the optic nerve to provide some sight.
The technology still has a long way to go - the resolution is approximately 100,000 times worse than normal eyesight (and 300 times worse than a poor cell phone camera), but it's still a big step towards restoring sight and interfacing with other nerve cells.
Link [Economist] - or see our earlier story on an upcoming bionic eye.
Comments (0)
Why? Is being honest with ourselves and recognising the things which are important that we never learned, and not assuming that we know even though we don't? I think this mindset is better than thinking we are at the pinnacle of human development without looking at our personal individual weaknesses.
As for Germany, and correct me if I'm wrong, it seems awfully liberal in that aspect and others as well (e.g. providing government coverage for homeopathy "treatments"). I guess they are just giving the people what they want no matter how dumb and counterproductive it is. It seems they are doing OK though. Just hope we all aren't heading for a state of idiocracy.