Elon Musk's Neuralink company has been a controversial subject in the past because of its potential dangers. Although it can enhance the animal's cognitive ability, abnormalities may arise since the implant could go wrong regardless of how safe it is.
Recently, protesters urged the tech boss to refrain from using animals as subjects of the experiments.
Several people said that the creatures should not be used for medical research outside Austin City Hall. A volunteer even said that there's an alternative to this process.
Neuralink Should Stop Experiments With Monkeys
(Photo : ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Protesters want Neuralink to avoid using animals as subjects of their testing in their facilities.
According to a report by KXan, a group of protesters called out Neuralink's unlawful practice of using monkeys as test subjects.
The protesters rallied with the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine to inform Musk that monkeys were dying in the testing sites because of the experiment.
To intensify their campaign against Neuralink, the group decided to run some ads about the company's facilities.
In an interview with the news outlet on Wednesday, Aug. 3, Ryan Merkley, one of the protesters, said that they released 60-foot-long ads which tell more about the Californian testing site built a few years ago.
"We're currently suing the University of California Davis, where Neuralink funded experiments on monkeys. The university refuses to release videotapes and photographs," Merkley added.
What is Neuralink?
For those unfamiliar with this word, Neuralink is a neurotech firm that uses implants by incorporating computers into humans and animals. Just imagine putting a microchip into your body so your activities will be monitored through smart technology.
Many people are aware that engaging in scientific tests linked to the company comes with a danger. Two years ago, a report suggested that people feared the chip's capability to control their minds.
Although it sounds interesting, there's also a possibility that the implant could go haywire. If it becomes damaged, the subject could be affected as well.
Another thing that concerns people about Neuralink is how it increases the subject's potential. It's fascinating to know that the chip could make you "extra intelligent" in an instant, but it still comes with a price.
Meanwhile, other people feared that artificial intelligence could someday take over the world because of this procedure. When machines reign over humans, then that's a new problem that people should overcome in society.
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Is There an Alternative For Neuralink?
The Physicians Committee was aware that if more people knew what was happening at the Neuralink facilities, the company would draw more flak from them.
According to Faraz Harsini, a pharmaceutical scientist who also turns out to be a Physicians Committee volunteer, the California-based firm is connecting medical technologies to the head of the monkeys. Neuralink is also restricting their movements.
The worst part here is how they allow the animals to die from the infection. Harsini said that people would be angrier if they knew the "real face" of animal testing in the facilities.
Harsini added that experimenting without the use of animals is possible through safer technological means. He suggested that scientists could make use of cadavers, micro-dosing, human tissues, and advanced imaging systems.
In light of that, Neuralink posted some plans regarding animal welfare. The company expressed its plans to use no animals in future experiments, but the problem is that there's no technology available to cater to that.
Other than that, the company also stated that the dying monkeys were involved in the initial testing rounds. The majority of these animals already have pre-existing conditions in their bodies.
Neuralink said that a total number of eight monkeys had been euthanized in the first round of the experiment. The website also includes that all animal tests at UC Davis were approved and mandated by Federal Law.
Meanwhile, a founding member of Neuralink exited the firm a few weeks ago, per Reuters. The reason was not disclosed.
Read Also: Elon Musk Defends Neuralink Against Neuroscientist's Concerns of Chips Overheating
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Written by Joseph Henry
