Read on Jesse Ezzel's blog about research showing the ability of monkies to directly control robotic arms with neural impulses.I have to say that, though this is potentially great news for those with severe impairment in movement, it does concern me that little mention is given to the fate of the monkies invloved. This statement "There was an "incredible moment" when the monkey realized that it could guide the cursor and grasp an object on the screen just by thinking it, Dr. Nicolelis said. The arm dropped. Muscles no longer contracted." ; is a bit troubling as it would infer self-awareness on the part of the monkey which is taken as one of the major indicators for sentience - especially troubling as it's almost certain that this animal will die as a result of this procedure. It's always bothered me that higher primates and monkies are somehow assumed to be unintelligent until human researchers decide that some test shows they are intelligent and therefore may be bestowed some form of rights. Interesting research though! Wonder how long it will be before someone hooks up a speech synthesizer to the language centres and a primate gives us a good telling off?