In late September, Neuralink, a company founded by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, specializing in research on brain-computer interfaces, announced its commencement of volunteer recruitment for its inaugural phase of human trials. Earlier this spring, the company obtained approval for its first human clinical trial from the FDA.
Neuralink’s primary objective is to implant a computer chip into the human brain via surgical procedures, establishing a connection between the human brain and electronic devices. This connection harnesses electrical currents to enable the computer to “interact” with brain cells. The ultimate goal is to aid paralyzed patients in regaining their motor functions, potentially curing conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and various other brain diseases. Additionally, it aims to restore vision to individuals who have lost their eyesight, among other potential applications.
However, recent concerns have arisen regarding the ethics and safety of Neuralink’s experiments. A medical ethics group recently submitted a letter to officials at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), urging the agency to investigate the deaths of monkeys involved in Neuralink’s experiments. In response to these concerns, Musk asserted on the social media platform X (referred to as Twiter 2.0) that the monkeys that had perished were already terminally ill and that their deaths were unrelated to the Neuralink implant. Nevertheless, members of the organization pointed to medical records, including veterinary documents publicly disclosed last year, which detailed the suffering of numerous primate subjects that were ultimately euthanized. These records raise serious questions about the safety and ethical considerations surrounding Neuralink’s experiments.
While the noble aim of finding a cure for individuals with severe congenital brain disorders is undeniable, it is imperative that the procedural formalities and ethical concerns are not overlooked in pursuit of this goal.
Sources:
Wired.2023 “The Gruesome Story of How Neuralink’s Monkeys Actually Died”https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-pcrm-neuralink-monkey-deaths/
BBC News. 2023. “Musk Start-up Neuralink Seeks People for Brain-Implant Trial,” September 20, 2023, sec. Technology. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66865895
