Neuralink Approved For Human Testing By FDA

Join For Weekly Insights And Opinions In Our Voices Dispatches Email

Join Our Voices Newsletter For Free Every Week

Neuralink got approval to test its brain implants on people. This news came out on Thursday. The company is owned by Elon Musk.

Neuralink created chips for a brain-computer connection. These can be implanted into the skull. They say this can help blind people see and paralyzed people walk.

Mr. Musk has repeatedly stated that his company is prepared to conduct experiments on humans to treat paralysis and blindness since 2019. However, the US FDA rejected the proposals to conduct human clinical trials.

Neuralink requested human testing in 2022, but the FDA rejected it. They said there were many problems that the company needs to fix.

The FDA pointed out problems with Neuralink's device. They had concerns about lithium batteries. They also worried that the wires could interfere with the brain.

The government worries about brain damage when removing the company's implants.

The US government is investigating Neuralink. Animal rights groups say the company didn't take good care of its research monkeys.

Beforehand, Reuters shared that the corporation that makes brain chips murdered 1,500 animals. These included over 280 sheep, pigs, and monkeys from 2018 to now.

The US Department of Agriculture is investigating Neuralink for possible violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

The company wrote in a blog that they want to work with animals in a good and ethical way. They are serious about being humane. This was in response to complaints about hurting animals.

It was planned and considered to use every animal. They considered science and ethics.

Mr Musk tweeted in November that Neuralink's device was ready for humans. He said the timing for beginning human trials depended on getting FDA approval.

Before putting a device in a human, we want to be sure it works well. We sent most of our paperwork to the FDA. In six months, we might put Neuralink in a human. Tesla and SpaceX's CEO said this.

The company got the green light to start human trials. They got approval from the federal agency on Thursday.

The company that creates brain chips is happy to announce that they got FDA approval. They can start their first clinical study on humans.

Neuralink said FDA approval is a first step. It will help many people. They will soon announce more info on clinical trials.

The Independent asked FDA about the Neuralink approval, but there is no response yet.