We’re making cyborgs now?

Scientists have made a new type of computer using human brain cells and silicon. It is called a “biological computer" because it uses human brain cells. This computer is different from normal computers. It can learn and work faster. A company in Australia made this computer, and they call it CL1 (Cortical Labs 1). This invention will help people in science and medicine.

Sometimes an idea for a new ***invention*** will come like a flash of lightning. Better that, than to get hit by a flash of lightning.

So, What’s Under The Hood?

The CL1 computer combines brain cells with technology. When you combine things you bring them or join them together into a whole new thing. The brain cells grow on a small chip. These cells can change and learn, like a small brain. The scientists say this is better than normal artificial intelligence (AI). This new computer can help make better robots and new medicines.

Once the kids learned that if you ***combine*** dirt and water you make mud, they played in it all day.

I’m here to help - trust me.

Scientists from many countries can use the CL1 computer. They do not need to buy the computer. Instead, they can connect to it on the internet. Instead means in place of something. The company calls this “Wetware-as-a-Service”. This means people can work with brain-cell computers from anywhere.

Elizabeth was so tired for her morning class that she put toothpaste on her comb ***instead*** of on her toothbrush.

Brain cell boot camp

The scientists who made this new computer look at it as a different form of life, not human, plant or animal! Scientists can teach the brain cells in the computer. They used a video game called Pong to train the brain. The word train here means to teach skills or actions; to instruct. The cells learned to play the game. This showed that the computer can learn and improve. The team is now working on making a simple brain using this technology.

Zany bought a unicorn for his wife and he thought that training the unicorn for riding would be easy. He was wrong.

show me the…medicine?

This computer can help find new medicines for diseases. It can also help test drugs without using animals. The scientists hope this will make medicine safer and better for people. They also follow rules to make sure the research is safe and ethical. If something is ethical then it’s right according to your beliefs.

Before taking the exam Carlos asked his neighbor, Hernan, if he could cheat. Hernan said yes. After the exam Carlos told the teacher that Hernan was cheating from his exam! Carlos has very low ***ethics***.

Bonus: today’s idiom

For my more advanced readers, what do you think of the combining of man and machine? Will we ever see real cyborgs (humans with computer parts) or androids (robots with human parts like skin) during our lifetimes? Tell me what you think in the comments about the invention of combining human parts with computers? Most people, I believe, are just “a bundle of nerves” when they think of the consequences of this technology.

To be a “***bundle of nerves***” means to be very worried about something.

Take a quiz for this story by clicking the link below. If you’re a “bundle of nerves” before taking a quiz, relax. I’m sure you’ll do well.

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/ugc/story.php?title=organic-computers

An Organic Computer!?!