The Silicon Valley company Neuralink, co-founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been making waves in the science and technology world with its promise of merging human brains with computers. However, their recent announcement of obtaining FDA approval for human trials has been marred by backlash and allegations of animal cruelty.
A group of doctors from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine have called for an investigation into Neuralink after discovering evidence that twelve monkeys had died as a result of the company’s experiments. The monkeys reportedly suffered from chronic infections, paralysis, brain swelling, and loss of coordination and balance after being implanted with Neuralink’s device.
This news is particularly alarming given that Elon Musk had previously claimed on his social media platform, X account, that “no monkeys have died as a result of a Neuralink implant”. He also stated that the company used only terminally ill monkeys in their experiments, a claim that has been proven false by public records from the University of California at Davis.
These revelations have sparked a call for action, with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate Musk for possible securities fraud after on September 10 the Tesla CEO said on X that “no monkeys have died as a result of a Neuralink implant.” They argue that the potential risks of Neuralink’s technology and the misleading statements made by Musk could potentially harm investors and the general public.
This controversy has once again brought to light the complex issue of using animals in scientific research. While Neuralink and other companies may have ambitious goals of improving human-computer interaction, the suffering and death of animals cannot be ignored. The average age of the monkeys used in Neuralink’s experiments debunk the claim that they were terminally ill, raising questions about the company’s ethical standards.
As Neuralink looks towards human trials for its brain-computer interface technology, it is imperative that they address these allegations and concerns surrounding their animal experiments. The company’s responsibility to ensure the safety and ethical treatment of their experimental subjects – both human and animal – cannot be underestimated. This latest development serves as a reminder that the path to groundbreaking advancements cannot come at the cost of animal welfare.
With information from El País