Neuralink, Elon Musk's company specializing in neural interface technology, is actively seeking candidates for its inaugural human clinical trials.
In an announcement made on a Tuesday, Neuralink revealed that these trials would primarily assess the safety of their implant technology and surgical robots.
The company's primary objective for this initial trial phase is to enable individuals to manipulate a computer cursor or keyboard solely through the power of their thoughts. This groundbreaking initiative is specifically targeted at individuals suffering from quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a debilitating neuromuscular disease that progressively deteriorates the nervous system, resulting in a loss of muscle control.
Elon Musk founded Neuralink back in 2016, assembling a team of scientists and engineers to pursue ambitious goals. In 2019, Musk expressed his vision that Neuralink's work could potentially facilitate a harmonious relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.
During a company event held the previous year, Musk boldly declared his intention to personally undergo testing with Neuralink's brain implants once human trials commence. He enthusiastically stated, "You could have a Neuralink device implanted right now, and you wouldn't even know. I mean, hypothetically. In one of these demos, in fact, in one of these demos, I will."
It remains uncertain whether Elon Musk will participate in these initial human trials as a subject.
Neuralink secured approval from the Food and Drug Administration in May to initiate human trials, marking a significant milestone in their journey. Prior to this, Neuralink had exclusively conducted tests on animals such as pigs and monkeys.
However, in December 2022, Reuters reported that Neuralink had come under federal investigation due to concerns of animal welfare violations. Over the course of testing since 2018, approximately 1,500 animals, including sheep, pigs, and monkeys, had been euthanized, according to Reuters.
In response to these allegations, Neuralink issued a statement in a blog post published in February 2022, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to ethical and humane treatment of animals in their research.
As of the time of this report, representatives from Neuralink have not yet responded to a request for comment from Insider, which was sent outside of regular business hours.