Neuralinkthe biotechnology company founded by Elon Muskcarried out his first implant in a human being. After receiving authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company managed to insert the chip into a person.
“The first human received a @Neuralink implant yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show a promising neuronal spike detection” declared Elon Musk on your X account (Twitter). The tycoon did not offer specific details and the official Neuralink account has not been updated since November 21, 2023.
The news comes after months of controversy, accusations of fraud, and a fine by the United States Department of Transportation. Neuralink has been in the eye of the hurricane since December 2022, when an investigation was announced into the deaths of more than 1,500 animals. Things got worse in September 2023, after a group of doctors denounced the company for the death of twelve monkeys.
The news caused a furor, since it occurred a few days after the FDA authorized the use of the implants in humans. The monkeys experienced infections and brain inflammation after receiving the chip of Neuralink, so they were euthanized. Because of this, four congressmen accused Elon Musk of fraud before the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Despite the controversy, a report by Bloomberg ensures that Thousands of people have applied to receive the Neuralink chip. The neurotechnology company began volunteer registration in September and expects to perform 11 surgeries on human patients in 2024. It will then scale the procedures up to surpass the mark of 22,204 operations in 2030.
Who will receive Neuralink brain implants
The first phase of human testing that Neuralink chips will receive considers quadriplegia, paraplegics, people with vision or hearing loss or inability to speak, as well as those who underwent major amputation.
Elon Musk’s goal is to create a solution that allows a person with paralysis to recover movement of their entire body. To do this, a surgery will be performed in which a piece of the patient’s skull will be removed and then the implant will be inserted. Neuralink chips can read and analyze people’s neural activity and transmit the data to a computer or mobile device.
brain implants They operate thanks to a battery that recharges wirelessly. Later, Neuralink will offer the possibility of charging it overnight, as we do with our mobile device. The difference is that the implant will be paired with a loading platform present in our pillow.
Prior to the announcement of the first successful human transplant, the US Department of Transportation fined Neuralink for violating hazardous materials regulations. After inspecting facilities in Texas and California, inspectors discovered that the company does not have a permit to transport materials of this type.
According to Reuters, officers also found that Neuralink does not secure its packaging, leaking hazardous materials that could cause a person’s death. The company was fined $2,480 and agreed to pay damages