Just last week, Elon Musk's Neuralink company announced that it would carry out the first tests on humans in six months. However, there were also accusations from some of the chip company's employees that they had handled animals too carelessly and thereby caused them unnecessary suffering. In short: rash animal experiments are said to have taken place, which resulted in unnecessary deaths.
Background knowledge: Neuralink
Neuralink Corporation was founded in 2016 by billionaire and business professional Elon Musk with the goal of connecting the brains of humans and machines. With the interfaces (in the form of brain implants) between human brains and the artificial intelligence of computers, Musk wants to help people be able to walk again . But other neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries should also be made curable.
Much research in this regard is first tested using animals. The company published a video over a year ago in which a monkey sits in front of a computer that is able to control the game “Pong” on the computer using a brain chip and its thoughts.
Animal testing – allegations from within our own ranks
The internal allegations about animal testing did not go unnoticed by the US authorities, which is why the US Department of Agriculture initiated investigations. These focus on violations of the Animal Welfare Act, which regulates how researchers must treat and test certain animals, reports the website Reuters.
Documents obtained by Reuters suggest that the pressure Elon Musk put on his employees to advance the development of new technologies was to blame for excessive animal testing. , botched and incorrect experiments resulted , which then had to be repeated because the research value was hardly profitable. The number of animals killed increased unnecessarily and massively, the employees interviewed told the news agency.
In a message seen by Reuters, one employee wrote an angry letter to his colleagues earlier this year highlighting the need to overhaul the way the company organizes animal operations to prevent "hacking." The rushed schedule, the employee wrote, leaves underprepared and overworked employees scrambling to meet deadlines and making last-minute changes before surgeries, increasing risks to the animals.
Time stress for Elon Musk – 1500 animals killed
The report goes on to say that it is estimated that have died during brain chip testing since 2018 . These are mainly mice and rats , but almost 300 larger animals such as sheep, monkeys and pigs said to be affected.
Neuralink itself did not provide a statement to Reuters. However, a certain amount of time stress in striving for success still seems to be present, as Elon Musk said last week that he wanted to have the implant inserted himself. Not right at the start of the clinical tests, but in the near future.
Additionally, the CEO wrote in Pacific Time on February 8, 2022: “In general, we are simply not moving fast enough. This is driving me crazy!”
Sources:
Futurezone , Reuters
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