Monkey brain chips research involving company Elon Musk co-founded drawing fire in California

Critics have raised concerns about a medical study conducted at the University of California, Davis on live monkeys involving a company co-founded by Elon Musk called Neuralink, CBS San Francisco reported.

For several years, more than 20 monkeys at the UC Davis Primate Center have been used in research to treat brain disorders. The Neuralink product is a computer interface that can be implanted in a brain to control motor function.

Page, a 9-year-old macaque, had a Neuralink chip placed on each side of his brain. With this, Pager could play the Pong video game using only his brain waves.

“If you know someone who has a broken neck or spine, we can fix it with a chip,” Musk told Neuralink earlier.

The researchers used UC Davis primates to see if the experimental idea would work.

“You have to try it and make sure it is as safe as possible before using it in human terms,” ​​said Jim Newman of Americans for Medical Progress.

Opponents of the research say primates are subjected to abusive experiments that sometimes end in death.

“Neuralink gave UC Davis $ 1.4 million over two and a half years to cut the monkeys’ skulls and implant these devices,” said Ryan Merkley of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

“I’m absolutely devastated, mad and angry because money should not be able to take over animals’ lives and harm them,” said animal rights activist Linda Middlesworth.

A lawsuit has been filed against the university requesting the release of documents related to the investigation and a complaint has been lodged with the federal authorities.

“It’s very clear to us that these were breaches of animal welfare law,” Merkley said.

UC Davis responded to a statement by saying: “We strive to provide the best possible care to the animals under our responsibility. Animal research is strictly regulated and UC Davis follows all applicable laws and regulations.”

It is a legal battle of conflicting views on cutting-edge medical research.

“This technology holds great promise,” Newman said.

“There is no reason to subject animals to these invasive lethal experiments,” Merkley said.

The center of the primates has had several deadly monkey misfortunes in the past. Seven baby primates died in 2018 from accidental poisoning. In 2016, one primate died after trying to escape, and in 2013, one died after being trapped in its cage.

UC Davis says its partnership with Neuralink ended in 2020.

In:
• Elon Musk