Neuralink, the brain implant company led by Elon Musk, recently received regulatory approval to conduct the first human clinical trial of its experimental device.
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While this news is a significant milestone at the intersection of technology and medicine, Musk's exuberant promotion of technology, his leadership history at other companies and animal welfare concerns related to Neuralink's experiments have awakened worries.
Neuralink: Elon Musk's Leadership and Conduct
Musk is known for his bold and sometimes erratic leadership by many of his peers, particularly when it comes to his tenure at the twitter, a social network that she recently acquired.
Laura Cabrera, a neuroethicist at Penn State's Rock Ethics Institute, said she was surprised by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to allow Neuralink to proceed with trials clinical. Musk has always embraced a “fast forward” philosophy typical of the tech industry.
But such an approach could raise questions about Neuralink's ability to responsibly oversee the development of an invasive medical device capable of reading brain signals.
Brain implants: an innovation or just another gadget?
Neuralink is neither the first nor the only company working on brain interface devices. For decades, research teams around the world have explored the use of implants and devices to treat conditions such as paralysis and depression. Today, thousands of people already use neuroprostheses, such as cochlear implants for hearing.
However, the broad scope of capabilities promised by Musk for the Neuralink device has drawn skepticism from experts. This raises an essential question: Will Musk see the brain-implant device as something that requires not only extra regulation but also ethical consideration? Or will he just treat it like yet another gadget?
The expectations surrounding the approval of Neuralink
FDA approval cleared the first hurdle, but the scope, focus, and design of such a study are still unclear. Furthermore, Neuralink is also under no obligation to disclose such regulatory interactions to its investors.
The company's website indicates that they are looking for participants with conditions that include paralysis, blindness, deafness or an inability to speak.