Elon Musk's ambitious plan to implant brain chips into humans has been met with another obstacle. According to a report from Reuters, the US Food and
Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to implant brain chips into humans has been met with another obstacle. According to a report from Reuters, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected Elon Musk’s Neuralink request to begin testing the device on humans due to safety concerns. The FDA cited numerous issues, including the possibility of overheating and movement of the wires in the brain. Musk has been promising human trials since 2019, but the company only began seeking FDA approval last year. Reuters reported that there were “dozens of issues” the company must address before it can proceed with human testing.
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The FDA’s rejection of Elon Musk’s Neuralink request for human testing
Neuralink’s brain chip has been tested on animals, including pigs and monkeys, but human testing has yet to be conducted. Last year, Musk released a video of a monkey using the device to “telepathically type.” However, the FDA expressed concern about the removal of the device without damaging the brain, as well as potential tissue damage caused by overheating.
Despite the setback, Musk remains confident in the device’s potential. In December, he announced that Neuralink would be approved for human trials by spring 2023, expressing his confidence in the technology by saying he would have the chip implanted in his own brain.
The report from Reuters follows an investigation into Neuralink by the US Department of Transportation, prompted by a complaint from an animal rights group alleging that the company had transported hazardous pathogens by moving the brain chips after removal from animal subjects without following proper regulations.
Musk’s continued confidence in the technology
Neuralink was founded by Musk in 2016 as a brain-computer interface company. The company’s goal is to create a chip that can be implanted into the human brain, enabling people to perform tasks with their thoughts. Musk has previously touted the chip’s potential to cure paralysis and provide telepathic abilities, likening it to a “Fitbit in your skull.”
Despite the recent setback, it is clear that Musk and Neuralink remain committed to the development of their brain chip technology. However, the rejection by the FDA highlights the importance of safety considerations and regulatory approval in the development of medical devices, particularly those that involve direct interaction with the brain.
The future of brain-computer interfaces and the importance of safety and regulation
As the technology continues to develop, it will be important for companies like Neuralink to work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure that safety concerns are addressed and that the benefits of the technology can be fully realized. While the potential for brain-computer interfaces is exciting, it is essential that safety remains a top priority in their development and implementation.
COMMENTS
While I understand the desire of Musk to see this through, inserting it into his own brain would be a mistake. They aren’t yet sure what side effects this can have and I think we need at least 10 years to find these out.
Musk is known for exaggerating what his companies can do and by when. He promised human trials starting in 2019 but for some reason only started seeking FDA approval in 2022! It’s clear he doesn’t really know what his employees can and can’t do and he’s probably putting way too much pressure on them to find answers quicker than possible.