The Neuralink project is currently testing its brain implant in animals with a view to implanting it in humans soon. However, according to an animal rights group, the company has lost nearly a third of its guinea pig monkeys in excruciating pain.
Driven by the essential Elon Musk, the Neuralink project aims to develop a computer chip to be implanted in the human brain. It will allow paralyzed people to control a computer by thought or to treat brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. Ultimately, it could also be about improving human cognitive abilities .
Not long ago, we mentioned the fact that Neuralink was preparing to launch clinical trials in humans. However, this company could suffer some slowdowns after a news published in Business Insider on February 10, 2022. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an animal rights association, has indeed filed a complaint against Neuralink with the United States Department of Agriculture.
The PCRM claims to have collected no less than 700 pages of documents concerning tests carried out on 23 monkeys. Among these documents, we find veterinary reports and necropsies, that is to say post-mortem medical examinations.
According to the association, the charges relate to the period 2017-2020 during which 15 of the 23 guinea pig monkeys would have lost their lives in extreme pain following the tests of the brain implant. The PCRM evokes inappropriate animal care, but especially highly invasive experimental cranial implants. As part of its tests, Neuralink would have violated no less than nine animal welfare laws . The causes of death are multiple:self-mutilation, cerebral hemorrhage or even euthanasia following major skin infections. Mention was also made of debilitating health effects in all guinea pig monkeys.
In February 2021, Neuralink revealed images of a monkey capable of playing small video games by thought thanks to the implant. The news had made the headlines and showed the progress made by Elon Musk's company. This communication also made it possible to reassure observers concerned about respect for animal welfare. No doubt the latest news should put a halt to the progress of Neuralink, so that 2022 should not be the year of the first experiments on humans.
