An Atlantic jellyfish Aurelia aurita. She has a large body but fairly short tentacles and is therefore not very stinging. – SIPA
American researchers have successfully increased the swimming speed by several jellyfish moons thanks to a microelectronic prosthesis. The device, attached under the belly of the animals, sends an electrical impulse to their muscles to control its action.
Their work is described in a study, published this Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. They aim to make these bionic jellyfish valuable allies in underwater exploration but also to advance knowledge in terms of
automation organizations, reports Numerama.
Changing the living, an ethical question
A microprocessor powered by a lithium battery has been developed and fixed on specimens of the species Aurelia aurita. The speed of jellyfish has thus been multiplied by three while their metabolic activity has only doubled.
Researchers are now working to direct the movements of their “cyborg jellyfish” and to equip them with cameras and sensors to gather information.
But the approach is controversial. Ethical questions arise about these experiments carried out on a living being. Study authors say they “took action [afin] that no unnecessary tissue damage occurs. ” They also point out that jellyfish are ” animals invertebrates without a declared central nervous system or nociceptors ”. They therefore cannot feel pain.
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