Headline: UC Davis Veterinary Records Reveal Disturbing Complications in Neuralink’s Monkey Experiments
Subtitle: Internal records obtained through public records request indicate potential mistreatment and welfare concerns
Date: [Insert Date]
In an alarming new development, UC Davis veterinary records obtained by the Physicians Committee have shed light on the distressing complications experienced by monkeys involved in Neuralink’s brain implant experiments. The records, which were also obtained by WIRED through a subsequent California public records request, detail a range of health issues, including bloody diarrhea, partial paralysis, and even “brain swelling.”
One particularly egregious case involved an experimental surgery in December 2019, where an internal part of the implant device broke off during the procedure. The monkey, referred to as “Animal 20,” displayed alarming symptoms such as scratching the surgical site and emitting a bloody discharge. Although a surgery was performed the next day to repair the issue, fungal and bacterial infections took hold, and the monkey was eventually euthanized.
Another monkey, known as “Animal 15,” showed signs of pain or infection shortly after her implant surgery. She repeatedly pressed her head against the floor and would pick and pull at her implant until it bled. Despite her discomfort, Animal 15 would often seek solace by holding hands with her roommate. Her condition deteriorated over months, and a subsequent necropsy report revealed bleeding in her brain, indicating serious damage caused by the Neuralink implants.
Animal 22 was euthanized when his cranial implant became loose, leading to screws securing the implant to the skull being easily lifted out. The necropsy report stated that the failure of this implant was purely mechanical and not caused by infection. This finding directly contradicts Elon Musk’s claim that no monkeys died as a result of Neuralink’s chips.
These revelations have sparked concerns about the welfare and treatment of the animals involved in Neuralink’s experiments. A former Neuralink employee, speaking anonymously out of fear of retaliation, has called Musk’s claim that the monkeys were “close to death already” a “ridiculous fabrications.” Another anonymous doctoral candidate conducting research at the CNPRC stated that it is hard to believe the monkeys were terminal, given their young age.
When approached for comment, Andy Fell, a spokesperson for the UC Davis campus, declined to make a statement regarding Musk’s claims.
This latest development follows ongoing federal investigations into Neuralink’s animal testing practices. The US Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General launched a probe in December 2022 into the treatment of animal test subjects. Additionally, in February 2023, the US Department of Transportation initiated an investigation into allegations of unsafe transport of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These investigations come after the US Food and Drug Administration initially rejected Neuralink’s application for conducting in-human clinical trials, citing concerns over the device’s lithium battery and the possibility of the implant’s wires migrating within the brain. However, Neuralink recently obtained FDA approval to proceed with human trials.
As the controversy surrounding Neuralink’s experiments continues to unfold, the ethical implications of these actions and the welfare of the animals involved remain at the forefront of public concern. With human trials on the horizon, it is crucial that ensuring the safety and well-being of all subjects is prioritized.