Written by Jonathan Schoenfeld, The Anti Media, January 14, 2015 – http://tinyurl.com/lwq4fnd

(ANTIMEDIA) As published in Science Magazine, French researchers have developed a thin, ribbon like prosthetic embedded with electrodes that could one day soon enable paralyzed people to walk again. The prosthetic administers electrical impulses and drugs that influence nerve cells. Such technology can eventually aid in an array of diseases and disorders including epilepsy, Parkinson’s, ALS, and pain management.

This is the most recent in a string of discoveries that blur the line between organic tissue and biomechatronic hardware, essentially cyborg technology.

Sarah Knapton, science editor for the Telegraph, explains how the implants unique material is perfect for this type of application:

“The implant is made of silicon and covered with gold electric conducting tracks that can be pulled and stretched. The electrodes are made of silicon and platinum microbeads which can also bend in any direction without breaking.”

Paralyzed rats that were fitted with the neuro-implants were able to walk on their own after only a few weeks of training. The groundbreaking technology is praised by British scientists, and is described as being flexible and soft enough as to not cause irritation and scar tissue. Previous implants were known to cause irritation and even rejection from the body after only a couple weeks.

“There is still a long way to go before we may see any practical use of such neuro-prostheses in humans. But it may be that it is something that could potentially be developed for use in humans in the foreseeable future.” -Dr Dusko Ilic, Reader in Stem Cell Science at King’s College London

Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne are hoping to start human trials within the next few years. The research team also aims to further develop the technology from out-of-body wiring to wireless devices. Developers project that the implants could last for up to ten years in humans before they need to be replaced.

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