Researchers at University of California - Riverside tell us they now
know how your brain programs innate or "instinctive" behavior. At work these behaviors would include escape and defensive maneuvers... as well as aggression that we see in some workers. How do instinctive reactions work? Scientists ... observed fruitflies... to discover how innate behaviors are triggered by a hormone that activates peptide neurons in the brain. Peptide neurons “turn on sequential steps of an innate behavior by inducing programmed release of brain chemicals," said Young-Joon Kim, a postgraduate researcher in UCR's Department of Entomology working with Michael Adams, professor of cell biology and neuroscience and professor of entomology, and the first author of the paper.”
When people understand how innate behavior is wired within the brain, people can soon after...begin to “manipulate behavior – their own and others…. That means that your peers and leaders ... may soon be able to change the order, delay innate behavior or even eliminate it altogether…. “
Do you see any possible ethical dilemmas here... or do you see possibilities for profit?
If anyone is interested, the Abstract of the paper the above is based on can be found here (but you need a subscription to read the whole thing).
John Latter / Jorolat
(Evolution Research)
Posted by: John Robert Latter | July 29, 2006 8:37 PM | Permalink to Comment