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Obama Admin. Reportedly Wants to Map the Entire Human Brain

Feb. 18, 2013 7:30pm Liz Klimas

Obama Administration Planning Multi Billion Dollar Brain Activity Mapping Project

(Image: Shutterstock.com)

A multi-billion dollar estimated project by the Obama administration will soon be seeking to map the entire human brain, according to sources speaking with the New York Times.

The project, which has not been formally unveiled yet, would be the like human genome project of the brain, the Times said.

Those involved with the initial planning of the Brain Activity Mapping project told the Times findings from such an endeavor could help with brain-related diseases as well as artificial intelligence.

Here’s more from the Times on how scientists might go about such a project:

Composed of roughly 100 billion neurons that each electrically “spike” in response to outside stimuli, as well as in vast ensembles based on conscious and unconscious activity, the human brain is so complex that scientists have not yet found a way to record the activity of more than a small number of neurons at once, and in most cases that is done invasively with physical probes.

But a group of nanotechnologists and neuroscientists say they believe that technologies are at hand to make it possible to observe and gain a more complete understanding of the brain, and to do it less intrusively.

In June in the journal Neuron, six leading scientists proposed pursuing a number of new approaches for mapping the brain.

One possibility is to build a complete model map of brain activity by creating fleets of molecule-size machines to noninvasively act as sensors to measure and store brain activity at the cellular level. The proposal envisions using synthetic DNA as a storage mechanism for brain activity.

Obama recently hinted at such research being conducted in his 2013 State of the Union address (emphasis added):

Today, our scientists are mapping the human brain to unlock the answers to Alzheimer’s. We’re developing drugs to regenerate damaged organs, devising new materials to make batteries 10 times more powerful. Now is not the time to gut these job-creating investments in science and innovation. Now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the height of the space race. We need to make those investments.

The plan, which the Times said could be unveiled as soon as March, would include not only federal agencies but private entities and scientific operations as well. The Times noted that the amount of money that could be put toward the project is unknown but sources said they hope it could receive up to $3 billion for 10 years of work from Congress.

Although similar in concept to the human genome project — which mapped the entire genetic code of humans with $3.8 billion and returned $800 billion according to the Times — the Brain Activity Project would be a bit more difficult.

“It’s different in that the nature of the question is a much more intricate question,” Dr.Ralph Greenspan with the Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind at the University of California-San Diego, told the Times. “It was very easy to define what the genome project’s goal was. In this case, we have a more difficult and fascinating question of what are brainwide activity patterns and ultimately how do they make things happen?”

Read more details about the potential for the project that would be run through the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the New York Times’ full article here.

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.

(H/T: SlashGear)

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Comments (99)

Chi-Fawn
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:30pm
How will mapping out a person’s brain tell anyone what a person thinks about? If it’s really for medical science then maybe it’ll be good. Those of us having swampy mud parts and frayed wires can finally get them drained off and fixed.

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Jim in Houston
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:16pm
Where do they propose to find a brain to study in the District of Corruption?

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Rillobymorning
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:29am
I’m sure he just wants to map the human brain so he can figure out how to turn a conservative into a liberal. Wouldn’t surprise me. Nothing he does surprises me any more.

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Seagal45
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:53am
I guess if you have no brain to begin with you may be curious about those who do.

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TakeTwo
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:04am
3.10 more years left predictions… 110 more rounds of golf… 56 more vacations… 10 more cover ups… 1 more unborn baby X unknown 1,000s… back to Gold standard… First Presidential Bank and Congress becomes obsolete… Presidential coverup i.e. Youtube video comes up missing in President’s trial. e.g., probation granted by Biden.

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betterpart
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:12am
This is way beyond the character’s ken, considering that he admitted on national tv 2 years ago during an interview, “I’m not fully evolved” lol…..

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JACKTHETOAD
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:44am
Yeah,right. They’re gonna use Bwaney Frank as the subject, and go in through the back door.

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ECOMCON
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:27am
The Obama zombies are coming for you Barbara.

And they want your BRAINS!!!!!

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SilentReader
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:55pm
Might I suggest that he be the first candidate?

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EnemiesWithinWillNOTPrevail
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:29pm
barry is an enemy of the USA. Master of deception.

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The Big Mick
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:29pm
I’m in favor of this. It should lead directly to a fool proof Lie Detector.
Can you imagine a “State of the Union” Speech where a big globe over the President’s head turned RED every time he told a lie?
See the works of H.Beam Piper over on Project Guttenberg and look for Piper’s use of “the veridicator”.

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EnemiesWithinWillNOTPrevail
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:29pm
Adolph will look like a saint when the fraudulent enemies within have destroyed America.

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Zombee
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:19pm
Mapping a liberal brains would be useless , after all liberalism is a mental disorder. Every time a liberal Democrat is right , a unicorn is born.

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:45pm
If the obama regime wants to map the human brain then it is for brainwashing masses of people. That is how the get some people to suddenly get a gun and shoot innocent people and then killl themselves. The want to do it more effeciently. Don’t trust your government. Don’t trust obama. He is evil.

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Jamboree
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:44pm
It’s already been mapped! Here: http://www.conservapedia.com/File:Liberal_Brain.jpg

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:26pm
By the way, no two brains are going to be identical, because humans are not silicon chips, and you are not going to get accurate data anyway? What if base your research on some malcontent? We have far more important things to work on than this?

Why should we fund something that could remove the freedom of will, when you know fully well that such experiments would have to be done that were banned after WWII?

This is war crime territory?

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:22pm
I’ll be honest, when I hear Sheila Jackson Lee telling us we have a flag on Mars, I don’t trust the political system to be in control of such data, assuming they could do it? You need secure data systems, why should we spend a dime on research with computer hackers making the news every day?

You do understand there are Americans walking around without teeth, who pay taxes, and wish they could afford dental care? It makes me sick to see these politicians just spend money with NO accountability?

I also don’t want your bankrupt Democrat donor buddies getting access to data they don’t need, because we don’t want to human lab rats and part of somebody’s pharmaceutical profit margin? Do you think they would expose the cause of Alzheimers if they figured out it was flouride in the water, or something like that?

The United States is not the same country that was here during the Kennedy Admistration, the United States has domestic enemies of the US Constitution that want those civil rights removed, when that present danger raises it head, funding should be cut from government, not spent?

You don’t need the answers to these questions, and we don’t need to spend one more dime on research, when we don’t have the common sense, not to send aid to Islamic nations and support the religion of Islam, violating the 1st Amendment?

Did you get cheaper autos after the defense department dumped all that research money into that industry?

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country_hick
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:45pm
If they use Nancy, Harry and Chuck’s what are they going to do with the rest of the minute?

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IntegrityFirst
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:34pm
Oh hail all the godly state, for you are the omnipotent, all powerful and all encompassing provider of all that I need. Only you shall deem what is necessary for my existence and all things shall emanate from your perfection, oh glorious government.

No seriously? Why is our federal government doing anything with brain research?

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djeffcoat
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:21pm
Quoting Frank Zappa “Who are the brain police?”

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Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:08pm
LOL! They just want to read your minds.

[geiger counter clicking faster]
“Capt. Hendry, going up. Point eight now.”
“I’m getting some too. It’s showing here.”
“Both of you, back here. Come running.”
“Halfway there.”
“One point two.”
“It’s on its way.”
“I got a worry.”
“Report from the front, McPherson has a worry.”
“This is no joke.”
“What?”
“What if it can read our minds?”
“It’ll be real mad when he gets to me.”
-”The Thing From Another World” (1951)

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whatsallthisthen
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:07pm
I’d like to see a map of the brains of people that think govt. is a threat to our personal and civil liberties and the constitution but still approve of the way it’s working. I’ll bet they could never map that out, too many dead ends.

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asybot12
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:06pm
Don’t worry guys they’d have to go outside of the US to find any, LOL

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Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:04pm
LOL! They just want to read your minds …

[geiger counter clicking faster]
“Capt. Hendry, going up. Point eight now.”
“I’m getting some too. It’s showing here.”
“Both of you, back here. Come running.”
“Halfway there.”
“One point two.”
“It’s on its way.”
“I got a worry.”
“Report from the front, McPherson has a worry.”
“This is no joke.”
“What?”
“What if it can read our minds?”
“It’ll be real mad when he gets to me.”
-”The Thing From Another World” (1951)

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- Max jones
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:13am
  So, Bah Rahk wants to map the human brain….He would do much better to find his own soul. And I am dead serious. He just don’t know how much trouble he is in! No idea.
  
  Report this comment
- tonypro
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:37am
  Smells like hitler with modern technology.
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:28am
  That is right up Hitler’s, Goering’s and Dr. Mengle’s alley.
  
  Obama wants to map the brain so that the communist liberals in Washington can find ways to control people like sheep.
  
  We must have Congress defund ANY attempts to try to initiate this Orwellian plan. It is truly demonic in nature.
  
  Report this comment
- gac1218
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 6:40pm
  Tony
  That’s exactly what I thought when I read just the headline.
  Hitler= human experimentation
  
  Report this comment
- DeniseJ
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 4:38am
  “The plan, which the Times said could be unveiled as soon as March, would include not only federal agencies but private entities and scientific operations as well. The Times noted that the amount of money that could be put toward the project is unknown but sources said they hope it could receive up to $3 billion for 10 years of work from Congress. ”
  
  Reminds me WAY too much of a Brad Thor novel!! Technology is neutral, but what use will they put it to???
  
  BTW, the government has NO MONEY. Congress has no business appropriating tax$$$ for this!!
  
  Report this comment
Obama_In_PeePee_Is_Becks_Art
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:02pm
LOL! They just want to read your mind …

[geiger counter clicking faster]
“Capt. Hendry, going up. Point eight now.”
“I’m getting some too. It’s showing here.”
“Both of you, back here. Come running.”
“Halfway there.”
“One point two.”
“It’s on its way.”
“I got a worry.”
“Report from the front, McPherson has a worry.”
“This is no joke.”
“What?”
“What if it can read our minds?”
“It’ll be real mad when he gets to me.”
-”The Thing From Another World” (1951)

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- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:16pm
  So that’s what Obama was planning on his secret vacation in Florida:
  http://www.isthatbaloney.com/president-obama-takes-secret-golfing-vacation-in-port-st-lucie-florida-press-not-invited/
  
  Report this comment

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