In China, researchers have succeeded in developing a brain implant capable of controlling the movements of a bee as if it were a drone. An impressive and troubling breakthrough that reshuffles the deck in information warfare and revives major ethical debates.
Insects transformed into machines
At the heart of this innovation is a miniature brain chip weighing just 74 milligrams. Glued to the bee’s back, it penetrates its brain using three micro-needles, which interact directly with its nervous system. By sending electrical impulses, the scientists are able to guide the insect, ordering it to move forward, backward or turn left or right. In tests, the bees followed the instructions nine times out of ten.
What is the purpose of this project?
These “augmented” bees are no longer just pollinators: they become intelligence agents. Capable of traveling up to five kilometers without a break, and carrying the equivalent of 80% of their weight, they are of major strategic interest. Their small size enables them to access spaces that drones cannot reach, and thus to pass unnoticed without people noticing.
Several scenarios of use are envisaged:
- reconnaissance missions in complex urban environments
- the fight against terrorism
- the fight against drug trafficking
- the detection of survivors after natural disasters
These applications remain at the experimental stage, and there is no official information about the success or feasibility of these scenarios.
Technical obstacles to overcome
Although the minimum weight of the device already seems to have been reached, researchers are still facing technical challenges. The main obstacle is powering the device. For the system to be functional, a 600 mg long-life battery would be required, which could be heavy for a bee.
Their next challenge is therefore to optimize the bee to integrate sensors (cameras, microphones or leg control) and batteries without overloading the insect.
Finally, converting a living organism into an instrument of surveillance or spying raises important ethical questions. The strategic exploitation of these insects not only raises animal welfare concerns, it also calls into question our relationship with living beings and opens the door to discreet, constant, and difficult-to-detect surveillance.The idea that an insect could monitor without suspicion is reminiscent of science fiction stories where privacy is nonexistent.
To prevent these innovations from slipping into intrusive applications, it is imperative to establish a rigorous regulatory framework that ensures that scientific progress remains at the service of mankind, and not its permanent control.
Sources:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/35797063/china-cyborg-bees-control-minds-movement-spy-rescue-missions/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/chinese-scientists-create-cyborg-bees-134545955.html
