Yeah, but that's the thing, they're rewarded with endorphins, and it looks like no negative punishment is used. They're just given a mental candy bar for following directions.
I just hope their lives are valued if they're used in search-and-rescue operations. They're NOT little robots you can throw away, they're smart, empathic little critters who're putting their lives on the line. (And no, I haven't seen Secret of NIMH too many times, I just like rats.)
Hopefully this chip won't compel them to go against the natural signals of pain, fatigue or fear. If that is not done, and if they are valued as living beings beyond their direct use in performing human-directed tasks, then it looks a-OK to me.
Yeah, but that's the thing, they're rewarded with endorphins, and it looks like no negative punishment is used. They're just given a mental candy bar for following directions.
I just hope their lives are valued if they're used in search-and-rescue operations. They're NOT little robots you can throw away, they're smart, empathic little critters who're putting their lives on the line. (And no, I haven't seen Secret of NIMH too many times, I just like rats.)
Hopefully this chip won't compel them to go against the natural signals of pain, fatigue or fear. If that is not done, and if they are valued as living beings beyond their direct use in performing human-directed tasks, then it looks a-OK to me.