New Revelations Uncover Disturbing Aspects of Neuralink's Monkey Research.
In a post-experiment investigation by Wired, it was revealed that a Neuralink implant caused deformation and rupture of a female macaque's brain, subsequently causing severe cerebral swelling.
Experiments carried out by Neuralink scientists at the California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) at UC Davis resulted in the development of "severe neurological defects" in a seven-year-old monkey.
Upon observing the extent of cerebral swelling, the research team recognized the primate's terminal condition. Nevertheless, the overseeing scientist in charge of the experiment advocated for prolonging the monkey's life for an additional day, rather than alleviating its distress.
During its last 24 hours, the primate endured excruciating suffering. According to documents obtained by Wired, the monkey experienced seizures, vomiting, the loss of motor control in its right leg, and uncontrolled tremors. Additionally, it exhibited signs of respiratory distress, manifested by attempts to scratch its throat and desperate gasping for air.
A post-mortem examination unveiled the magnitude of the harm. Leakage of adhesive from the implant had caused inflammation in the region of the brain responsible for cerebrospinal fluid secretion. The consequences were so profound that the posterior portion of the primate's brain extended beyond its cranial enclosure, although the precise mechanism for the cavity's formation remains uncertain.
However dire these circumstances may appear, it is worth noting that our current understanding of the situation may only scratch the surface, as Wired reports that the photographs documenting the trials are being withheld from public scrutiny.
Ethical organizations such as the Physicians Committee, who initiated legal action against UC Davis, have been advocating for the disclosure of numerous photographs that chronicle Neuralink's unsettling brain implant experiments. Asserting that UC Davis, as a publicly funded institution, is obligated to uphold transparency, the committee's efforts have thus far yielded no results.
Dilemmas regarding the ethical considerations of subjecting animals to suffering in the pursuit of biomedical research, which may ultimately yield benefits for humans, frequently linger within the field.
This is undoubtedly a complex matter, yet it appears that UC Davis and Neuralink, mirroring several of Musk's enterprises, have tested conventional boundaries and employed assertive strategies to maintain secrecy surrounding their research. Notably, even though the incident involving the macaque's brain rupture was officially recognized by federal regulators as a breach of the US Animal Welfare Act, Wired reports that the CNPRC averted legal repercussions by proactively self-reporting the violation.
In conversation with Wired, a former Neuralink employee, who chose to remain anonymous, explained, "To be technically accurate, the implant itself was not the immediate cause of her passing. Rather, we chose to perform euthanasia to put an end to her distress."
The legal maneuvers employed to retain the potentially incriminating photographs are far more intricate than what has been discussed here. We will refrain from delving too deeply into the details, but UC Davis primarily asserts that the public lacks the necessary expertise to accurately interpret the images.
In addition, the institution maintains that any negative repercussions arising from the photograph content would not only pose a threat to the safety of the scientists but also serve as a deterrent against their continued documentation.
However, this matter extends beyond the scope of Elon Musk's Neuralink, UC Davis, or the CNPRC. They are unquestionably not the sole entities engaging in questionable animal experiments, and the Physicians Committee has staunchly advocated for the public's entitlement to information regarding any taxpayer-funded animal testing procedures.
Nonetheless, this does not absolve Neuralink of any wrongdoing. Its public visibility, along with that of its unconventional owner, understandably prompts additional scrutiny, as contended by its critics.
According to an attorney representing the Physicians Committee in the lawsuit, "The release of the footage holds significant importance as Neuralink is currently engaged in deliberate misinformation and underrepresentation of the disturbing nature of the experiments to the public," as reported by Wired.
Despite the unfavorable press coverage, Neuralink remains resolute in its pursuit of human trials. It is important to recognize that the Physician Committee's lawsuit outcome may cast a considerable shadow over the future of these experiments.
Labels: Neuralink implant autopsy