Hold your horses people, the first application would most probably be military... as usual with new technology.

I am not looking forward to a time when police would have to search even pigeons for explosives or listening devices.

Ivan Simov, London,

Sure, this could help advance robotics. But why would we need a robot pigeon when we can control the real thing?

Dave, Wooville, USA

This could replace ASBOs.

Ben, Palma, Spain

Our ability to manipulate a bird (and equally a mouse) is the first step towards many of the sci-fi human brain adornments featured in films. Personally, I am thoroughly looking forward to a time when my children can download 23 years of education into their brains and get a proper job :P
Equally this has repercussions for robotics I imagine - If we can manipulate a pigeon, then we can go towards building one artificially perhaps. Electronic carrier pigeons would be awesome! Armored for sure though.

Daniel, Southampton, UK

This is okay as long as it remains in Pigeons and doesn't extend to human control. It does seem a little pointless, but cool all the same. If some Chinese scientists and their government decide to use their money for such things, thats their choice. Let them get on with it.

Andrew , Peterhead, Scotland

This is not good news for Dick Dastardly and Muttley.

M, London, UK

How can I buy one of these?

JH, The north,

Human control is something to be concerned about especially in POW situations. And if I'm not mistaken there was a war (I think World War 1 or 2) where birds were used to communicate messages. One type used, from what I saw, were pigeons. This was on the History channel at one point and the pigeon won a medal because she was injured, but still got a message through that saved a soldiers life.

Megan, Fayetteville,

Now if we can only toilet-train them, cities would save billions in cleaning.

GrassyNoel, Poughkeepsie, NY

Whats the actual purpose of spending so much time and effort into developing this technology? Its unethical and creul.

Jo, Cape Town, South Africa

sounds like some people have been watching too many movies (reference to the spy agency comments), however, the human control factor is something to be concerned about.

J, W, Ohio

This technology has already been built into the standard bluetooth earpieces that we use every day. These easter egg circuits are inactive from the factory but operate on a chanel reserved by the FCC for governmental low orbit satelite communications.

Kerry Randolph, Marietta, GA

It just doesn't seem right.

Matt, Collinsville, IL

I am a bit more pessimistic about this whole idea. I have no ill will over the fact that a pigeon was used. I'm more concerned about the CIA or some other spy agency using unsuspecting humans to carry out assassinations, and/or other detrimental covert operations. This could take away what little free will we have if put in the wrong hands.

nick, keene , nh

It's a pigeon. Take it easy. Pigeons are nothing but disease causing pests that need much population control. Go take your PETA crap elsewhere.

Chris, Springfield, USA / MA

This is generally a pretty disgusting thing. Though I can understand the desire to be on the cutting edge of this type of field.

The really scary thing to me is what this could mean, from a strategic, militaristic standpoint. Messages sent to EPW's, Escape tools to Prisoners, listening devices, cameras...

The host of surveillance possibilities are frightening. I'm not normally a conspiracy nut, but when I have to start watching out for pigeons in my AO... I'm worried.

Tom, Rochester, NY

I think this is some great news. I just don't understand why so many get upset that they used a pigeon. Personally I would much rather have scientists experimenting on pigeons and rats in order to understand the brain than them using humans, or worse, not even trying to solve the mystery. I am sure that 10 years down the road, when we will have a better ability to help those who are handicapped due to a brain injury thanks to research such as this, that many of you will have changed your views. In the meantime I hope none of you become one of the many who would benefit from doctors being able to mimic brain signals and help you walk, talk, or move again.

Greg, Bell Gardens , CA

Neat :)

ps. Large, smart creatures get to do whatever they want with smaller ones. Sorry so many of you can't deal with the realities of life.

AyeRoxor, usa,

This is awesome! The day they can do this to humans the advent of utopia is near.

Don Diego, Knoxville, US

Add a camera to its back and it's a spy, add a explosive pouch and it's a terrorist. The Chinese aren't stupid for looking into this, imagine the possibilities...

tom, washington, USA

This is totally awesome! Tip of the hat to you Chinese researchers.

Andrew, Cambridge, MA

That's totally cool and fine!
These other commenters are crazy vegans ;-)

Vladekk, Riga, Latvia

I've seen a video of a simmilar experiment envolving humans. It wasn't direct neural stimulation, however, it worked by modifying the pressure in the inner ear to make the person feel like they were off balance and would automatically compensate by going the opposite direction, ie, the direction that was being sent by remote control.

I think that this is a great thing and can lead to a much better understanding of how our brains work and ultimately such technologies as improved prostetics or even more sci-fi like neural computer interfaces.

Mark, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

trust the Chinese to abuse animal rights again....

kevin, toronto, ontario, canadada

I don't see it to be either "sick," morally, or ethically "disgusting." Every day I am amazed at the technological advancements that humans are accomplishing, and this is just another case where the thought of "What's next?" is alluring.
I do not see this new development crossing any boundaries. They're just testing it on pigeons. What the next step should be is to find out if they can perform the same prodecure on a human. Now 'that' would be very interesting. If humans had that kind of understanding and control over their own thoughts and motor coordinations, that's just one more point for humanity's success in knowledge.
I prefer to be a philomath as opposed to an ignoramus, and I see every new biological step such as this as an opportunity.

Roy Fokker, San Jose,

Its a pigeon. They come by the thousand. I think we can spare a few to further man kinds knowledge of neural processes. Well worth it. If its not endangered lets hook it up.

Jacob, Columbus, United States

sick! why don't they implant something into the scientists heads??? leave the animals alone!!! sick, absolutely sick!

Marianne Crawford, Centreville, usa

Morally and ethically disgusting. STOP ANTHROPOCENTRISM!

The Bright Eyes Society, Ossendrecht, The Netherlands

This is absolutely sick. Who has given us the right to control other beings wills?
If we had remote controlled humans, people would certainly react differently. How would you feel, if someone robbed your will and controlled your body?

Why can't the Chinese invent remote controlled robots for the same purposes.

I thought they were so clever after all?

Mira Kumar, clevedon, Somerset

It is possible this could benefit research toward robotic prosthetic limbs. Scientists have already created false limbs that can be twitched through thought alone. However, the technology is probably not backwards compatible therefore they must be doing this either for a laugh, or for an aerial invasion. 'The Reds are coming, ya hear!'

Richard Hopker, Broadstairs, Kent

Pigeon Bomb!! Just like on the game Worms! I think we need to be more aware of what the Chinise are up to.

James, Downderry, Cornwall

That is one of the most unusual things I have ever heard of! I imagine the pigeons could be used as remote controlled bombs!!

Keith Jordan, Cheshire, England, UK

How terribly cruel and pointless. Just an excuse for someone to say they've done something that no one else has done before, dispite the fact that it is of absolutley no real value and so was obviously a waste of time and money.

Eleanor, London, England

The Bionic Bird? I can think of several uses, mostly unethical.

Bill, Bradford, UK

id love to get a chance to fly that thing. they gotta add a button for POOP BOMBS!

pointless sure, but still pretty cool if you ask me

Dace, Minneapolips,

And we need a remote controlled pigeon because…?
“Watch this, I’ll make him poop on that statue!”

RJD, Harrisburg, IL,

Will this technology work with my girfriend? Can it be made to control lips and legs? Maybe it cold be installed at night so she would not find out about it.....

Daver, Milpitas, USA/CA

Now this is a step forward for a environment friendly courier service.

Anwar, Arden hills, MN

Now that's one bird-brained idea!

postmanpat, zurich,

So let me get this right. Pigeons can navigate over hundreds of miles and succesfully find the same shed in a large city getting home in time for tea. And then a boffin decides that remote controlling one to go left right up and down is an improvement? Hmm. What problem were you trying to solve because I can't see one!

Ellis, Overton, Hants, UK

Clever but pointless, now on the other hand if they can cross the pigeon with a cow and get it to fly over Downing Street they could be onto a winner!

Louis Cannell, Northampton, UK

What would happen if someone got a hold of this and used it on people?

Karela, Ridgefield, WA, USA

Can a pigeon fly to Iran? You know a remote device inside it and all! Could solve a number of political problems and a few of Mr Bushs as well not to mention making the rest of the world relax a little. Give it a go!

P Jones, Stockport, UK

The extremist Animal Liberation Front must be scratching their heads.

"How to firebomb the Chinese University, without risking being locked up in a Chinese jail?"

Pete, Cov,

Oh dear. These boys and their toys.

James, Norwich,

Just keep Blackadder away from it.

Captain Darling, Somewhere in France,