Nature equipped pigeons

[Roland]

Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 8:33 AMSubject: Interesting  >

Nature equipped pigeons with the perfect on-board computer. But homing> instinct is no match for technology.>> Scientists have used microchips to force pigeons to ignore their inbuilt> radars and fly straight up, straight down, left and right.>> They claim to have created the world's first remote- control pigeons, > saying> they can control the birds' minds at the click of a button.>> In tests likely to ruffle feathers among pigeon fanciers, scientists> implanted microchip receivers into the pigeons' brains.>> By sending electronic impulse signals from a computer on the ground, they> were able to plot a course and force the pigeons to fly in a chosen> direction.>> This overrode the birds' natural instinct to fly in a circular route. > "It's> the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the world," said chief> scientist Professor Su Xuecheng, at the Robot Engineering Technology> Research Centre at Shandong University of Science and Technology in China.>> "Via a computer, we forced the bird to comply with our commands," he said.>> Professor Su and his colleagues claimed to have had similar results with> mice in 2005, and had since been improving the devices used in the> experiment. It has long been believed that homing pigeons lose their sense> of direction during an electrical storm.>> Professor Su and his team carefully studied the effects of the weather on> pigeons to devise their computer implant.>> "We hope the technology could be put into practical use in future," said> Professor Su.>> Exactly what practical use remains a mystery. Thought control, with its> Orwellian overtones, is a sensitive issue, even if limited to pigeons and> mice.>> The fact that the birds have been developed in China, with its history of> oppressing free thinkers, will not be lost on some in scientific circles.> Scientific-achievement aside, remotecontrol pigeons would certainly take > the> fun and skill out of breeding top- class homing pigeons for Britain's> thousands of fanciers.>> They will be certain to cause a flap among members of the Royal Pigeon> Racing Association, which boasts the Queen as patron.>> Professor's Su's findings were announced on the day China's state > scientific> and technological award for 2006 was presented in Beijing.>> Chinese president Hu Jintao awarded scientist Li Zhensheng for his> achievements in developing drought-resistant wheat.

[Guest Owen]

Roland,

like a lot of things that are claimed in China, it is most likely a lie. If not it will be that they are stretching the truth. That is something that is second nature to the Chinese. I think pigeon racing will be safe for quite a while yet. That is of course unless they can find a military use for guided pigeons or perhaps a way that they can make money from them.

[OLDYELLOW]

how much are they lol might be cheaper than ets lol  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[OLDYELLOW]

Roland,

like a lot of things that are claimed in China, it is most likely a lie. If not it will be that they are stretching the truth. That is something that is second nature to the Chinese. I think pigeon racing will be safe for quite a while yet. That is of course unless they can find a military use for guided pigeons or perhaps a way that they can make money from them.

 

aye implanted chip 50p weight next to nothing , transmitter back pack for pigeon 1llb in weight cant see them getting it off the ground lol  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D