With one groundbreaking experiment, scientists ventured into unexplored realms of neurological function.
  • Researchers in Texas crafted a device meant to help isolate the brain for scientific study.
  • By keeping the brain alive and functioning separate from the body for hours, experts believe that they can improve heart-lung bypass technology.
  • This sci-fi-like concept was first modeled in pigs, but humans could be next.

When a pig recently went under anesthesia at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, it was for anything but a routine procedure. Researchers were able to isolate blood flow to the brain, separate that brain from the rest of the body, and use a new device to keep the brain alive and functioning.

The pig brains were all on their own for five hours. And they did just fine, thanks to the new extracorporeal pulsatile circulatory control (EPCC) device.

“This novel method enables research that focuses on the brain independent of the body, allowing us to answer physiological questions in a way that has never been done,” Juan Pascual, professor at UT Southwestern, said in a statement.

  • cm0002@lemmy.world
    202·
    11 months ago

    It sucks, but it’s necessary for some critical life saving research. Someday our tech will be able to handle precision simulation of this nature and animal testing of any kind will be a thing of the past, but we’re not there yet.

    This research sounds like it could save thousands of lives maybe even millions

    • Nora@lemmy.ml
      67·
      11 months ago

      Well then people can volunteer. Doing this to a sentient being who can’t consent is atrocious.

      • Soulg@lemmy.world
        2·
        11 months ago

        Yeah fuck all those potential people it could save I guess, send the pig to the abattoir instead so that all of them can die

      • totallynotarobot@lemmy.world
        53·
        11 months ago

        Weren’t you just over in another thread saying deep fake porn is a victimless crime?

        You’re a bit fucked up, aren’t ya?

          • eatthecake@lemmy.world
            31·
            11 months ago

            Women are also sentient beings who do not consent to deepfake porn but apparently consent only matters when op says it matters.

            • Deckweiss@lemmy.world
              12·
              11 months ago

              I’d honestly rather be extremely humiliated and experience psychological trauma than get my brain seperated from my body (and lets be honest ain’tnobody putting the pig back together after those 5 hours, so probably also killed)

              • eatthecake@lemmy.world
                3·
                11 months ago

                The fact that getting your brain removed is the worse option does not change my point about consent.

                • Deckweiss@lemmy.world
                  12·
                  11 months ago

                  I prefer to tackle problems in order of severity. But prefering human comfort over other living things is also a fair stance. Cheers

              • totallynotarobot@lemmy.world
                11·
                11 months ago

                Please let us know who is currently forcing you to choose between those two options and I promise we’ll be appropriately outraged.

        • Nora@lemmy.ml
          36·
          11 months ago

          Yes I’m fucked up for not caring that people can essentially have hyper realistic nude paintings made of them, and also being upset and disturbed that an innocent sentient being had their head cut off and their life taken from them.

          It’s ironic how completely wrong your priorities are.