Neuralink is facing another probe after it reportedly failed to handle the implants removed from its monkey subjects properly. There are concerns that the substances are contaminated and may pose a risk to human health.
PCRM Claims Neuralink Mishandles Removed Implants From Sick Monkey
Physicians Committee of Response Medicine (PCRM) penned a letter that they obtained public records revealing that the company mishandled the implants they removed from their monkey subjects. They allegedly transported possible infectious pathogens on several occasions.
PCRM also claimed that it obtained 327 pages of communications between Neuralink and its partner, the University of California, Davis. The emails reportedly included the employees' concern about the handling and transportation of removed implants, including those from monkeys suffering from severe infections.
According to the letter, Neuralink employees transported the explanted hardware with potentially infectious substances from their facility to UC Davis' in an open box without a secondary container.
Due to the letter the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is investigating the company.
A USDOT spokesperson confirmed this to The Verge via email. USDOT said they take such allegations seriously and are reportedly already investigating that Neuralink is in compliance with federal regulations and is keeping its employees and the public from potentially dangerous pathogens.
Neuralink Previous Federal Probe
It isn't the first time PCRM launched a complaint against Neuralink. In 2022, PCRM alleged that the company conducted an inhumane test on the animals involved in its experiment. The animals allegedly had mutilated brains and were left to suffer and die.
Neuralink responded by denying the allegation, highlighting PCRM's stand against all animal research. The company noted that all novel medical devices and treatments at present must be tested on animals before human trials can be conducted ethically. Neuralink emphasized that it isn't exceptional in that regard.
Neurlink added that it is committed to working with animals in the most ethical and humane manner possible.
Neuralink also noted that all works done at UC Davis were approved by their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) as required by federal law, and all medical and post-surgical support, including endpoint decisions, were supervised by their committed and experienced veterinary staff.
What is Neuralink?
Neuralink aims to develop a device capable of controlling a computer by an implant in the brain. Elon Musk, who founded Neuralink, said in 2019 that they had implanted a device in a monkey enabling it to control the computer with its brain.
Neuralink previously shared videos of monkeys seemingly playing video games and spelling out words using the devices placed in their heads. They also put implants on pigs.
Initially, they planned to test the device on humans in 2020. However, it is already behind in its effort.
According to The Verge, the missed deadlines may have amplified pressure on researchers to speed up their work, increasing the risk of harming the test subjects in the process.
RELATED ARTICLE: Elon Musk is Looking for a Neuralink Clinical Trial Director; Does It Mean It Has A Toxic Work Environment?
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