[wcoenen]

Since genetic engineering is necessary to first put light sensitive ion channels in the brain, I don't see how this is "way better" if you're targeting applications in humans like neuralink.

[alantrrs]

I'd much rather get an injection than get brain surgery.

[bduerst]

I would think a brain virus has a higher risk than a one-time surgery.

[qayxc]

I wouldn't even try to guess either way - there's zero statistics for genetic manipulation of the human brain and some stats for brain surgery.

Comparing few data points to none just doesn't allow for any intuition about the safety of either compared to the other.