Real-life “avatars” are helping scientists explore the fundamental experience of being inside one’s own body.

In the 3D movie Avatar, a character has his consciousness transferred to the body of a genetically-engineered alien.

Swiss scientists at the University of Geneva are somewhat less ambitious, but have created virtual-reality avatar versions of human volunteers. Virtual reality (VTR) technology was employed to “immerse” volunteers into the avatars, giving them the illusion of being “one” with the animated simulations.

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