Scientists are seeing results from early testing of microchips inserted in the brain to boost memory. Is this a medical breakthrough, or the mark of something sinister?
Beliefnet reported on 17 June that the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been very involved in the development of brain chip implants, spending upwards of $77 million (closely
286 billion Ugandan Shillings) in the last five years.
They are hopeful that the technology can restore the minds and memories of victims of traumatic brain injuries, such as military veterans hurt in combat, the website said
So far, the tests have shown positive results.
One patient, according to Beliefnet, had his memory capacity jump from 15 percent to 18 percent. Another study that can be found in the Journal of Neural Engineering showed a memory boost of 35 percent. This was both for short term and long term memory.
Entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have invested in similar technology. They have looked into BrainGate, a technology that wirelessly connects the human mind to computers. Musk has taken it a step further and developed Neuralink, which he thinks could help save the human race.
The question that is starting to be placed on everyone’s minds, however, is if this science has gone too far. At what point are we healing humans, and at what point are we giving them superhero abilities?
These ethical questions plague the Christian community. We see ourselves as being created perfectly in God’s design, so having technology come in and change the basic human anatomy can sound like it’s overstepping.
Furthermore, the technology causes uneasiness for many due to recent concerns over privacy violations and the improper handling of sensitive data. If someone can read the brain chip, then there is always someone who can hack into it.
Many prophecy watchers and evangelical Christians are convinced that a chip inserted into one’s body is this prophesied mark. Articles, books and websites offer a cacophony of wildly different ideas on this subject.
Revelation 13:16-17 says, “And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name”.
As he drew connections between biblical prophecies and current events around the world right now, American Pastor John Hagee said in an interview with CBN News that ‘the fuse is lit, every prophetic player is on stage’
“Every player is on the stage for the first time in history that fulfills all of the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah; they’re all there. We’re just waiting for the next domino to fall and when it does watch out! It’s not going to stop,” he said.
News Agencies contributed to this report.