Neuralink is a neurotech company that’s developing implantable brain-computer interfaces that was founded by Elon Musk.
It is said to be on a mission to bridge the gap between humans and machines.
Its tool is said to be a brain-machine interface that involves implanting tiny devices directly into the human brain.
The goal is said to be restoring mobility and independence to people suffering from paralysis, due to spinal cord injuries or conditions like ALS.
This would be by trying to decode brain activity by allowing people to interact with computers using just their thoughts.
In September 2023, it was announced that Neuralink had received the green light to embark on their first human trials.
The clinical trial is expected to span 6 years and is said to be a quest to ensure safety and functionality.
During this time, it is said that researchers would closely monitor participants, seeking answers to questions about the long-term safety and effectiveness of the implants.
Neuralink is said to have showcased some feats with animals, like monkeys playing ping pong with their minds or pigs running on treadmills.
But, these are said to have raised some ethical concerns.
Former Neuralink employees are said to have blown the whistle, alleging unnecessary suffering during experiments, which may paint a less glamorous picture of the company’s testing phase.
Neuralink was said to have previously been subject to a rejected bid for FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approval due to safety concerns.
And now, being allowed to start human trials, Neuralink is said to be focusing on people with quadriplegia due to spinal cord injuries or living with ALS.
Quadriplegia is a condition where a person experiences paralysis in all four limbs and may have limited or no movement in their arms and legs.
And you may remember ALS from the awareness people were trying to raise from the Ice Bucket Challenge many years ago.
That being said, it may be important for people to temper their expectations.
Experts caution that even if the brain chip implant proves safe and effective for people, it could be a decade or more before it becomes widely accessible.
So, the road ahead may be fraught with technical and ethical challenges that demand rigorous testing and scrutiny.
