你的大腦會被駭客入侵嗎？：英語精讀講義

We all feel in control of our actions and thoughts. 片語搭配

我們都覺得，自己的行為和思想盡在掌控之中。

It's what defines us. 文法

正是這一點定義了我們是誰。

But as biology and technology begin to intertwine,

但隨著生物學與科技開始交織，

the question remains, 表達脈絡

問題依然存在：

could your brain be hacked?

你的大腦會不會遭到駭客入侵？

The truth is,

事實是，

the brain is an electrical device.

大腦是一個電氣裝置。

And because of this,

正因如此，

we can interface it to our own electronic devices. 用詞

我們可以把它連接到自己的電子裝置上。

In fact,

事實上，

hundreds of thousands of people are already taking advantage of this with cochlear implants, 講解

已經有數十萬人透過人工電子耳利用了這一點，

a type of hearing aid which mimics sound to the brain through electrical impulses.

這是一種透過電脈衝在大腦中模擬聲音的助聽裝置。

However,

然而，

electricity isn't exactly precise.

電流其實沒有那麼精準。

It ends up spreading signals across many neurons in the brain. 片語動詞

它最終會讓訊號擴散到大腦中的許多神經元。

And in the case of hearing, 片語搭配

就聽覺而言，

this can make the signal muddy or blurry. 用詞

這會讓訊號變得混濁或模糊。

To solve this problem,

為了解決這個問題，

researchers have found a way to use light,

研究人員找到了一種利用光線的方法，

which you can aim and is much more precise,

光線可以定向照射，而且精準得多，

to stimulate the desired parts of the brain.

從而刺激大腦中的目標區域。

And it's this light that may be the key to very specific control over the brain. 文法

而這種光，或許正是精準控制大腦特定部位的關鍵。

But first,

但首先，

these cells must somehow learn how to use light as an input source.

必須設法讓這些細胞學會把光當成輸入訊號。

As crazy as it may seem, 文法

儘管這聽起來很瘋狂，

a harmless non-reproducing virus is used to insert genes into the desired neurons or brain cells. 文法

研究人員會利用一種無害且無法繁殖的病毒，把基因植入目標神經元或腦細胞中。

These genes are taken from other organisms that use light to survive,

這些基因取自其他依靠光生存的生物，

such as algae.

例如藻類。

Surprisingly,

令人驚訝的是，

we use the same genetic and cellular mechanisms as them.

我們使用的遺傳和細胞機制與它們相同。

So if you take DNA from one and insert it in another, 文法

所以，如果從一種生物中取出DNA，再植入另一種生物，

it still works.

它依然可以發揮作用。

These genes encode for proteins that allow the neuron or brain cell to act as a solar cell. 慣用語

這些基因會編碼出能讓神經元或腦細胞像太陽能電池一樣運作的蛋白質。

As a result,

因此，

they react to incoming light and convert it to an electrical signal

這些細胞會對照射進來的光產生反應，並將其轉換成電訊號，

while cells without the new DNA remain unreactive.

而沒有新DNA的細胞則不會有反應。

All we need now is an optical source to shine light on these neurons when we want them activated. 講解

現在，我們只需要一個光源，在想啟動這些神經元時照亮它們。

Create this setup within the reward systems of the brain 文法

把這套裝置接入大腦的獎賞系統，

and you could make someone happy with the push of a button. 片語搭配

只要按一下按鈕，就能讓一個人感到快樂。

Stick it into the motor cortex 文化背景

把它放進運動皮質，

and you could control parts of movement.

你就能控制部分肢體動作。

And this is exactly what scientists have done.

而科學家確實已經這麼做了。

This mouse has fiber optic cables wired into its right motor cortex,

這隻小鼠的右側運動皮質中接上了光纖，

which controls movement to the left.

該區域控制身體左側的動作。

As soon as the light is shone into its altered solar panel neurons,

光線一照到牠那些經過改造、如同太陽能板般的神經元上，

it cannot help but run to the left. 文法

牠就會不由自主地向左跑。

Its thoughts and actions have been hacked. 慣用語

牠的思緒和行動都被「駭」了。

So, what happens when we begin to stick technology into our brains?

那麼，當我們開始把科技植入大腦時，會發生什麼事？

On the one hand, 表達脈絡

一方面，

it may open the doors to managing physically debilitating diseases, 慣用語

它或許能打開治療之門，幫助我們應對嚴重損害身體機能的疾病、

personality disorders or even conditions such as depression.

人格障礙，甚至憂鬱症等病症。

Turn on or off the necessary cells and voila. 講解

只要啟動或關閉相應的細胞，就大功告成了。

Heck, the average person may be able to integrate this technology in order to augment their vision

說不定，普通人也能將這項科技融入自身，以增強視力，

or play video games in their mind.

或直接在腦海中玩電玩。

And as we begin to understand the intricacies of the brain,

隨著我們開始了解大腦複雜的運作機制，

which regions specifically control which actions and thoughts,

弄清楚究竟哪些區域控制哪些行為和思緒，

this technology will bear even more significance.

這項科技將變得更加重要。

However, the ethical concerns and risks lurk quietly around the corner. 慣用語

然而，倫理疑慮和風險也在不遠處悄然潛伏。

So, knowing that your brain could be hacked,

所以，既然知道你的大腦可能遭到駭客入侵，

would you want this technology in your brain?

你還會想把這項科技植入大腦嗎？

Don't forget AsapScience now has t-shirts in both white and black.

別忘了，AsapScience現在有白色和黑色T恤了。

Links are in the description.

連結就在影片說明欄裡。

And if you want the inside scoop on upcoming episode ideas and behind the scenes, 慣用語

如果你想搶先得知未來的單集構想和幕後花絮，

check out our personal Instagram and Twitter handles. 用詞

就去看看我們的個人Instagram和Twitter帳號吧。

And subscribe for more weekly science videos.

也請訂閱我們，收看每週更新的科學影片。