Former Harvard professor Charles Lieber has established a brand new brain-computer interface analysis lab in Shenzhen, reigniting debate over US-China expertise switch and nationwide safety considerations.
An American scientist convicted of creating false statements about his ties to Chinese state recruitment packages has rebuilt his analysis profession in China, the place he now leads a government-backed neuroscience institute centered on brain-computer interface expertise.
Charles Lieber, 67, beforehand a number one chemist and nanoscience researcher at Harvard University, was discovered responsible in 2021 of mendacity to US federal authorities about monetary hyperlinks to China’s Thousand Talents Program. He was additionally convicted of tax associated offenses tied to funds from a Chinese college.
After serving a quick jail sentence and home arrest, Lieber has resurfaced in Shenzhen, the place he now heads the Institute for Brain Research, Advanced Interfaces and Neurotechnologies (i-BRAIN), a part of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART).
The lab focuses on brain-computer interface methods designed to revive motion in paralyzed sufferers and deal with neurological issues. However, consultants be aware the identical expertise may even have army functions, together with cognitive enhancement analysis.
Lieber’s new facility reportedly has entry to superior chip-making gear, primate analysis infrastructure, and important state funding, assets that surpass what he beforehand had at Harvard University.
Chinese authorities have designated mind pc interfaces as a key precedence inside nationwide science and expertise methods, directing substantial funding to analysis facilities equivalent to Shenzhen.
His return to high-level analysis has raised considerations amongst some US safety analysts, who argue that China’s skill to recruit prime tier scientists regardless of prior convictions highlights gaps in export controls and analysis oversight.
Neither SMART nor i-BRAIN responded to requests for remark, whereas Lieber has declined interview requests citing present commitments.
Goodness Anunobi
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