The suffering of the monkeys in Elon Musk’s Neuralink

Elon Musk’s companies are considered innovative, but in developing a brain-computer interface, the neurotechnology company does not rely on progress, but rather uses an old model: animal testing.

“We put a chip in your brain to control your thoughts,” Musk once joked. The goal of Neuralink is to enable people with disabilities to operate a computer or telephone with their mind – via microchips in the brain. In addition, diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or epilepsy need to be better understood and ideally cured. Musk thinks artificial intelligence (AI) is more dangerous than nuclear weapons – but he still wants to work with it.

Neuralink is not far from that – at least not in the animal model. Two years ago, the company released a video showing a monkey playing the video game Pong with his mind. Prototypes of brain implants were implanted into the animal’s brain.

But progress also has a dark side. There is not only a lot of work behind the breakthrough, but also likely avoidable animal suffering. According to reports, Musk wanted to speed up development so much that failed experiments resulted. Missing tests would have had to be repeated, which would have increased the number of test animals.

It is estimated that at least 1,500 animals died during experiments, including sheep, pigs and monkeys. In addition, the animals were kept alone in cages and tied up for hours during tests. Some animals had their brains operated on up to ten times.

The company acknowledged that animals had died, but denied that the animals had been tortured and died as a result of the implants. The American authorities subsequently started an investigation. This is now available – and reveals the details of the deceased primates.

The published veterinary documents show that the animals suffered severely and that the animals may have died as a result of the implants.

“Tier 15” is said to have started shaking when it saw laboratory workers. After receiving the implants, he continually pressed his head against the floor of the cage and pulled on his feeding tube. “Level 15” tried to grab the hands of the other prisoners through the bars. The animal’s condition continued to deteriorate until it was euthanized. According to autopsy, the animal had a brain hemorrhage. “Tier 20” scratches the surgical wound on his head until it becomes bloody. This caused an infection and the monkey later had to be euthanized.

‘Animal 22’ died because two screws in the brain implant came loose. The autopsy report states: “The malfunction can be considered purely mechanical and was not aggravated by infection.” If the reports are true, this would directly contradict Musk’s statement that no animals have died from the chips.

Former Neuralink employees confirm the allegations but wish to remain anonymous due to retaliation from their former boss. About a dozen primates had to be euthanized, the report said.

Amid the allegations, the company announced it would soon begin human trials. In concrete terms, a clinical study is planned in which people with disabilities control a computer or cursor – solely through the power of their thoughts. The company has already received approval. The search for test subjects has only just begun.

But even if the chip proves successful, experts say it could take another decade before the implants are approved for commercial use. The brain chips, which are intended to create a connection between the brain and the computer, are considered very controversial. Musk skillfully downplays the dangers and sees it as just a fitness bracelet in his skull.