An American scientist has set up his own research lab in Shenzhen (China). This scientist was convicted of lying about the payment received from China at Harvard University in America. These scientists are now working on technology which China has identified as a national priority. This is, implanting an electronic chip in the human brain. The name of this scientist is Charles Lieber, his age is 67 years. He is one of the well-known researchers in the field of Brain Computer Interface.
It is believed that this technology is expected to cure diseases like ALS and bring back the activity of paralyzed patients. It can also be used for military purposes. The US Defense Department has said that scientists from China’s People’s Liberation Army have investigated brain interfaces as a way to create super soldiers. This will help in increasing mental agility and understanding of the situation.
What were the allegations against Lieber?
The matter is related to the year 2021. The jury found Lieber guilty. He was sentenced in 2021. He was accused of making false statements to federal investigators about his ties to a Chinese government program recruiting talent from overseas and tax crimes related to payments he received from a Chinese university. He spent two days in jail and six months in house arrest. He was fined 50 thousand dollars. He was ordered to pay $33,600 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. He said in his defense that he was suffering from an incurable lymphoma cancer.
Chinese government is funding
Three years after his sentencing, Reuters reported that Lieber was overseeing China’s government-funded i-Brain. Here he got access to special nanofabrication equipment and primate research infrastructure. This lab is a part of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART).
Reuters told that his lab has special facilities and chip making equipment for research on primates (monkeys). It is part of a vast network of government-backed institutions that receive billions of dollars in government funding. This is an institute which is trying to bring the talents of America’s top scientists back to China.
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