First Human Implanted with Neuralink's Brain-Computer Thriving Amid Controversy Over Safety Procedures
Summary:
Elon Musk confirms the successful implantation of Neuralink's brain-computer device on its first human patient, with promising early results. The device aims to enable people with severe injuries or paralysis to interact with digital devices using only their thoughts. Despite the promising update, Neuralink's safety practices have faced criticism and calls for an SEC investigation into alleged false safety claims made by Musk.
Elon Musk, the proprietor of Neuralink, confirmed that the first human to be fitted with their brain-computer device is recuperating favorably. Musk, in a public post on Jan. 29, revealed the successful implantation took place on the preceding Sunday, Jan. 28, and early observations indicate an encouraging detection of neuron spikes.
The brain implant developed by Neuralink is designed to aid individuals suffering from severe injuries or paralysis to interact with a smartphone or computer using just their thoughts. Musk pointed out that their first product, named Telepathy, might achieve unprecedented speed in communication, surpassing even professional typists or auctioneers.
Neuralink started accepting human applications for clinical trials in September of the previous year, following the United States Food and Drug Administration's approval of their PRIME study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) in May 2023. The initial intention of the PRIME research is to develop a functional Brain-Computer Interface that enables individuals to manipulate a computer cursor or keyboard through mere thoughts.
This technologically advanced procedure requires creating a minor opening in the patient's skull, and a surgical robot carefully places the Neuralink device — consisting of ultra-fine, flexible threads — this implant ends up being practically indiscernible and functions as a data recording and transmission tool sending wireless data to an app that interprets the patient's thoughts into digital movement on a device.
However, there has been criticism directed towards the safety methods of Neuralink, with regulators scrutinizing the firm and lawmakers calling for an SEC investigation into dubious claims purportedly made by Musk concerning the safety of the implants. In a contested post that was later removed, Musk alleged that there were no fatalities among monkeys due to Neuralink implants, a claim that lawmakers alleged was intentionally misleading. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine revealed that not less than 12 juvenile monkeys had to be euthanized following health issues directly linked to the implants.
Neuralink hasn't made any immediate comments following requests made by Cointelegraph.
Published At
1/30/2024 4:36:33 AM
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