The United States stops Neuralink and Elon Musk: prohibits implementing chips in human brains

Neuralink and Elon Musk have received a blow to their plans: the US FDA has completely blocked their intention to use chips in humans

Musk made a lot of noise in 2022 when he revealed his intentions with Neuralinkyour company in the field of neurotechnology, dedicated to the advanced development of brain-computer interfaces through implants.

Basically a year ago, Musk unveiled his project to begin testing his prototype devices on humans. This necessarily implied one thing:

Elon Musk would begin to carry out experiments with individuals, implementing an experimental chip in their brains until it worked well.

If we remember how the story was with Tesla Motors and particularly with SpaceX, where there was more than one failed test that ended in explosions, we will perfectly size the dilemma in which the regulatory authorities found themselves.

Now it’s finally settled with bad news for the richest man on the planet.

The FDA stops Elon Musk and Neuralink with their idea to test chips in human brains

As we reported to you at the time, months ago the US Department of Transportation (DOT) began to investigate Elon Musk’s firm.

All after he Committee of Responsible Medicine Physicians denounced a situation of “unsafe handling of dangerous pathogens after the extraction of the implants from the brain of monkeys”.

Now, according to a report from the news agency Reuters, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has rejected Neuralink’s request to implement its chips in humans. All with a somewhat cloudy detail:

“Neuralink has not disclosed details of its test request, the FDA’s rejection, or the extent of the agency’s concerns. As a private company, it is not required to disclose such regulatory interactions to investors.”

And it is that the story has an unexpected twist, since the report is produced from a series of employees and ex-employees of the company, who reveal that in reality since the beginning of 2022 the FDA would have prohibited the company and Musk from implementing their chips in people.

The tricky point is that in November 2022 Elon Musk stated that they would start implementing chips in humans, to start their tests in order to treat conditions such as blindness and paralysis.

This would mean that Musk knew of the FDA rejection by the time he stated that they would look to start trials soon.

Regarding the reasons for denying the permit and prohibiting the experiments, according to the independent there is talk about the risk of using a lithium battery in the chip, the concern that the wiring will not stay in place if it is in contact with the brain mass, and the risks of brain damage when removing the chip.