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Neuralink implants first-ever brain chip in live human subject
According to Neuralink's website, the device is placed in the part of the brain that plans movements and is designed to interpret neural activity so that the recipient can control devices such as a smartphone or computer with their thoughts. The device is in clinical trials which are open to certain individuals who have quadriplegia due to ALS or a spinal cord injury. (Ables, 2024)
This first-of-its-kind surgery comes just months after Neuralink revealed it had received regulatory approval to test out its brain chips in humans. In recent years, the company has received criticism for its medical research involving trials on live monkeys, which led to the deaths of roughly 1,500 animals, according to Reuters. (Lee, 2024)
There's also a question of human ethics. Allan McCay, a fellow at the University of Sydney’s Law School who studies ethical issues related to emerging neurotechnologies, said that the concept of cognitive enhancement is a cause for concern. “A society where some people are cognitively enhanced and others aren’t could create a class divide like nothing ever,” he said. However, McCay also acknowledged that this kind of technology "might alleviate quite a lot of human suffering," such as treating severe depression, epilepsy, and locked-in syndrome. (Ables, 2024)
Sources:
Ables, K. (2024, January 30). The Washington Post. Musk’s Neuralink implants brain chip in its first human subject. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/30/neuralink-musk-first-human-brain-chip
Lee, A.M. (2024, January 30). CBS News. Elon Musk says Neuralink is first to implant computer chip in human brain. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/neuralink-elon-musk-company-brain-chip-human-implant/