After the mice plugged in USB and walked pigs on the spot, Musk used brain-computer interface technology on monkeys.
According to a complaint filed Thursday by the American Committee of Responsible Medicine Physicians (PCRM), Musk's brain chip company Neuralink caused terrible harm to the experimental monkeys tested, the New York Times reported. The complaint, filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), relates to the Neuralink monkey experiment conducted at the University of California, Davis from 2017 to 2020.
PCRM accused Neuralink and its host university of violating the U.S. Federal Animal Welfare Act nine times, noting that "the implantation of highly invasive electrode devices in the head of monkeys without adequate care during the experiment left many animals experiencing extreme suffering." ”
One of the monkeys described in the complaint was found to have lost limbs "possibly due to self-harm or other unspecified trauma" and was later killed during "end-of-life surgery."
Another monkey had a hole drilled in its skull to implant Neuralink electrodes directly into its brain, but a "bloody skin infection" developed and was then executed.
A third monkey appeared to have survived implantation with electrodes, but developed "vomiting, nausea, and shortness of breath." A few days later, it was said to have "collapsed due to extreme exhaustion" and eventually died, suggesting it suffered from cerebral hemorrhage.
The primates described in the report were just three of the 15 subjects, and a total of 23 experimental monkeys died or were euthanized during the three-year period covered by the complaint.
PCRM also said that the Neuralink implant produced repeated infections in animals, greatly impairing their health and the integrity of their research.
They also sued the University of California, Davis, for more photos, videos and information about the experimental monkeys. They said the only publicly available material of this type, curated in large quantities by Musk, showed a healthy-looking monkey playing a video game, supposedly with its thoughts. But the university has denied any wrongdoing.
First of all, who is Musk?
In 2016, Musk co-founded Neuralink in Silicon Valley. The company has been working on brain-computer interfaces that allow wireless transmission and information reception between the human brain and computers.
He has said the technology "will make people with quadriplegia think faster with their smartphones than people with their thumbs."
Musk believes that people should think of the technology as "replacing defective or missing neurons with circuits", the device will be implanted through wireless charging and skull embedded, so people look completely normal, and he is cautiously optimistic about the technology.
At the 2020 company presentation, he said, "In the future, you will be able to save and play back memories... Eventually, you can download them to a new body or robot body."
This passage sounds more and more like "Black Mirror", and it is no wonder that Twitter users feel so similar after comparing Neuralink products with "Black Mirror". (Note: Black Mirror is a British standalone unit play created by Charlie Brooke to show the side effects of new technologies, highlighting the relationship between humans and technology in a satirical tone.) ）
Neuralink's talent acquisition information adds to the magic of this compelling brain-computer interface technology.
"You will lead and help assemble the team responsible for implementing Neuralink's clinical research activities," the job posting said. "As Clinical Trials Director, you'll work closely with some of the most innovative doctors and top engineers, as well as with Neuralink's first clinical trial participants."
Candidates were also told, "There are opportunities to change the world, the opportunity to work with the brightest and most talented experts from different fields."
Currently, Musk is the richest man in the world, with about $256 billion in wealth.
In addition to exposing clips of experimental monkeys playing games, Musk has been silent about the results of the animal Neuralink experiment.
In fact, the Neuralink chip was implanted not only in a monkey named Parger, but also in a pig named Gerdre, all of which were successfully tested.
At the press conference, Musk brought 3 piglets to demonstrate. The results showed that when the field worker touched its nose, the pig's nerves began to excite and the brain neurons responded.
Monkeys can play, and there is hope for people with disabilities?
Musk also announced in March 2021 that human trials would begin in a few months, though his experiments have yet to surpass pigs and non-human primates. However, the project had previously experienced delays.
Musk's original idea of developing Neuralink was to use it as an implant to boost the brain to help humans keep pace with the development of artificial intelligence. He has warned that otherwise we will be reduced to "house cats" ruled by computers.
However, he recently changed his mouth, claiming that its main use will be to help paralyzed people and other brain injured people improve their quality of life.
Musk insisted that Neuralink could first open the skull, remove a small piece of skull, implant electrodes and wires, and finally install Neuralink equipment to fill the skull gap. As long as it is handled properly, there will be no bleeding during the operation, and there is only a small scar on the head after the operation.
The whole process is completed within one hour and can be discharged on the day of surgery.
He also describes a future in which Neuralink implant centers are as ubiquitous as the ear piercing stores in American malls.
Source of this article: China Biotechnology Network
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