Thursday, September 14 2006 11:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A bio-chip implant or some other mechanism can in the future be used to transfer certain functions of the damaged portions of the human brain to the healthy one, President A P J Abdul Kalam, who is carrying out a research on mentally-challenged children, said yesterday (Sept 13, 2006).

Also, a convergence of communication, and bio and nano technologies, medical electronics, and mathematical simulation can lead to an integrated solution to mental disabilities, he told an international conference on autism here.

The President said his study also focused on use of stem cells for increasing the quality and quantity of neurons in the brain system.

"We are confident that it will be possible to transform certain functions of the damaged portions of the brain, say in the left hemisphere, to the normal portion in the right hemisphere of the brain by some triggering mechanism or by implanting a bio-chip to carry out those functions," Kalam remarked.

The President said he has been carrying out his research with an expert for the past three years.

Kalam, who recalled his visit to Thiruvananthapuram's Central Institute of Mental Retardation, also spoke about the possibility of treating mental defects through a combination of a variety technologies and techniques.

"The research is indeed location the exact area of defect. Permanent solution, which can help children afflicted with mental disability, can be found by medical scientists and technologists using an integrated approach," he said.