- The FDA has reportedly blocked human trials of brain implants by Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk.
- The brain-chip company won’t seek FDA approval until early 2022, according to seven current and former employees, and the FDA has denied the application, but Musk has said it intends to begin human trials of the implant in 2019. was
- The agency has outlined several issues, Reuters reported, citing staff, including:
- device lithium battery
- Small wires in the implant may travel to other areas of the brain.
- Remove device without damaging brain tissue.
- At a “Show & Tell” event last December, Musk said Neuralink would have the first device in humans within six months.
- A year after the rejection, Neuralink is still working to address the aforementioned issues.
- In a Nov. 30 presentation, Musk said three staffers weren’t convinced the company could solve the problem, despite the latest predictions of FDA approval for clinical trials in 2023. .
- Most recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it was investigating Neuralink for possible illegal movement of dangerous pathogens and facing allegations of animal cruelty.
- Neuralink is working to build a brain chip interface that can be implanted inside the skull, which it says could eventually help disabled people move, regain communication and restore vision.
- Photo via Wikimedia Commons
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