In a groundbreaking move in the history of neuroscience, Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink has announced that it has implanted a human brain for the first time. Founded in 2016, the company is working on interfaces that can be implanted in the human brain and translate thoughts.
“The first implant from Neuralink was successfully performed yesterday and the patient is doing well. Initial results show promising detection of neuron activity,” Musk said.
The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.
Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024
The FDA authorized Neuralink to perform human brain implants last May. However, this decision was overshadowed by allegations that the company had engaged in unethical practices in animal testing.
In September 2023, the non-governmental organization Physicians Committee for Animal Rights called for an investigation into Neuralink for alleged animal cruelty. In a statement, the organization said that a dozen of the monkeys undergoing brain implant tests had died.
In another post on the same platform, Musk stated that Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy, will allow people to control almost any device using their thoughts. According to Musk, the first users will be people who have lost limbs.
Neuralink’s success in implanting implants in the human brain is a groundbreaking development in the field of neurotechnology. This technology can be used to treat a variety of nervous system diseases, to cure conditions such as long-term memory loss, and to bring a whole new dimension to human-machine interaction. However, ethical and safety concerns must be taken into account.
