Neuralink, the brain-chip startup owned by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has received approval from an independent review board for the first human trial of its brain implant designed for paralysis patients. The approval allows Neuralink to begin recruiting volunteers for the trial, which aims to develop a six-year program for people with paralysis caused by cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
While the company has not disclosed the number of participants they aim to recruit, Neuralink’s initial objective is to enable individuals to control a computer cursor or keyboard solely using their thoughts. This groundbreaking technology could potentially revolutionize the lives of those suffering from paralysis.
In order to address safety concerns raised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Neuralink had to negotiate for a reduced number of patients. Despite this setback, Elon Musk has expressed his optimism about the future possibilities of Neuralink, stating that the company plans to treat conditions such as obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia with its chip devices.
Earlier this year, Neuralink received clearance from the FDA for its first-in-human clinical trial, even as it faced scrutiny for its handling of animal testing. However, it is important to note that even if the brain-computer interface (BCI) device proves to be safe for human use, it could still take over a decade to secure commercial use clearance.
The approval for human trials marks a significant step forward for Neuralink and raises hopes for groundbreaking advancements in the field of neurotechnology. As the trial progresses, it is expected to provide valuable insights and potentially pave the way for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with paralysis.
