时间:2025-04-26 13:06:14 来源:网络整理编辑:探索
In May, the Elon Musk-owned brain implant company Neuralink announced that it received FDA approval
In May, the Elon Musk-owned brain implant company Neuralink announced that it received FDA approval to begin human trials. On Tuesday, the company announced that an independent review board had cleared it to begin recruiting human test subjects for its brain implant for patients with paralysis.
According to a blog post from the California-based neurotechnology company, the main purpose of these human trials is to test whether its brain-computer interface (BCI) — called "the Link" — is safe and functional. The aim of Neuralink's BCI and the company as a whole is to create implantable devices that'll let users control things with their brains. And while it sounds super sci-fi, Neuralink is far from the only company developing brain interface devices.
"The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone," the company said in its announcement.
While this may be an exciting development for some, Neuralink's "first-in-human clinical trials" may represent a significant risk for its patients. The company and Musk have come under fire in the past for the way it treated lab animals — so much so that in February 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed a complaint alleging Neuralink performed "invasive and deadly brain experiments." By December of that same year, the company was under investigation by federal authorities for possible violations of animal welfare regulations, with documents alleging that since 2018 the company had killed approximately 1,500 animals, including rats, monkeys, pigs, and, mice.
Neuralink fought back against these very serious allegations claiming that the rhesus macaque monkeys under its care were "respected and honored" by the team. Musk even took to X (formerly known as Twitter) this past week to say that "no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant."
Tweet may have been deleted
That statement directly contradicts the company already admitting to euthanizing several animals after they had developed infections and other side effects. Whether or not Musk is trying to reframe the controversy regarding Neuralink's animal testing doesn't seem to matter at this moment as the company has already gotten the necessary approvals and is gearing up for a very crucial moment in its history.
The announcement left it unclear when these trials would begin, but did state that those who have "quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)" may qualify for the trial.
Researchers create temporary tattoos you can use to control your devices2025-04-26 12:32
Apple granted a new patent on a VR headset to connect with iPhones2025-04-26 11:49
Everyone's convinced Sean Spicer's upside2025-04-26 11:23
New version of Chrome is much easier on your laptop's battery2025-04-26 11:19
'Rocket League' Championship Series Season 2 offers $250,000 prize pool2025-04-26 11:12
Assholes try like hell to pin new 'Mass Effect' game's crappy animations on a woman2025-04-26 10:53
Wall of 3,000 flowers tracks and mirrors your movements2025-04-26 10:47
Tesla owners drop serious cash on their cars only to wait months to get them repaired2025-04-26 10:30
Honda's all2025-04-26 10:26
Donald Trump is killing Meals on Wheels and it's a serious problem2025-04-26 10:26
This chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jump2025-04-26 13:06
Thailand's red taxis are taking the petty route to drive Uber and Grab out of town2025-04-26 12:51
Behold, the glory of our Trump White House LEGO set2025-04-26 12:47
Why using voice recognition to identify refugees is controversial2025-04-26 12:37
More than half of women in advertising have faced sexual harassment, report says2025-04-26 12:19
Fifth grade girl builds portable, solar powered tiny house thanks to YouTube tutorials2025-04-26 11:36
Even in the White House, Trump can't escape Hillary Clinton2025-04-26 11:17
Justin Bieber can't eat lunch without being mobbed by fans and it's sad2025-04-26 10:32
This app is giving streaming TV news a second try2025-04-26 10:26
Facebook tests a big change that for once isn't a Snapchat ripoff2025-04-26 10:21