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Title: Sam Altman's Brain Chip Venture Is Mulling Gene Therapy Approach

Link: https://slashdot.org/story/25/08/15/2012223/s...

Sam Altman's brain-chip venture is exploring the idea of genetically altering
brain cells to make better implants. "The company, which has been referred to
as Merge Labs, is looking at an approach involving gene therapy that would
modify brain cells," reports Bloomberg. "In addition, an ultrasound device
would be implanted in the head that could detect and modulate activity in the
modified cells." From the report: It's one of a handful of ideas and
technologies the company has been exploring, they said. The venture is still
in early stages and could evolve significantly. "We have not done that deal
yet," Altman told journalists at a dinner Thursday in San Francisco,
referring to a question about a brain-computer interface venture. "I would
like us to." Altman said he wants to be able to think something and have
ChatGPT respond to it. [...] For years, researchers have been studying how to
genetically change cells to make them respond to ultrasound, a field called
sonogenetics. The idea Merge is considering to combine ultrasound with gene
therapy could take years, some of the people said. Ultrasound has attracted
significant attention recently as a possible brain therapy. Other companies
are exploring the idea of using ultrasound transmitters outside the brain to
massage brain tissue, with the goal of treating psychiatric conditions. That
kind of technology has shown promise in research studies.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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