The Terrible Fate of the First Human Implanted with Elon Musk’s Brain Chip

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Neuralink opens up about problems with the project to implant brain chips in humans. The startup owned by Elon Musk admitted that there was a small cable that was in the wrong position in the brain of its first patient.

The small cable was pulled out of its proper position. According to five people familiar with the matter, the company has known about the risks of small cables for several years.

Neuralink became aware of this issue from the results of animal trials. As a result, the small cable can remove the electrodes that function to transmit brain signal codes to be translated as commands to digital devices.

However, Neuralink previously said the risk was low. As a result, the company did not redesign the brain chip framework.

It is known that Neuralink is testing brain chip implants in paralyzed humans. That way, patients can use digital devices for activities just by making commands from the brain.

Last week, Neuralink said the small cable was very thin, even thinner than a human hair, quoted by Reuters, Thursday (16/5/2024).

By removing the thin cable from its proper position, the chip will not be able to function optimally. This is because the brain’s signals for carrying out activities such as moving the mouse on the computer screen will be interrupted.

Neuralink claims the company has fixed an issue with its patient’s chip implant. One way is to modify the algorithm so that it is more sensitive to commands.

Neuralink executives did not respond to emails and telephone calls for further comment.

According to an inside source who kept his identity confidential, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actually aware of this problem. Because, this problem was stated in the animal testing report attached when Neuralink applied for a human trial permit.

The FDA also declined to comment on this issue. The agency only said it would continue to monitor the safety of Neuralink trial patients.

An insider said that the algorithm modifications carried out by Neuralink could not be used as a solution. Because, there is a possibility that more small cables will leak.

However, redesigning the chip framework would have high risks. Because, Neuralink has to remove a chip that has been implanted in the human brain. This has the potential to damage the patient’s brain tissue.

According to former and current employees, Neuralink is looking for ways to redesign the chip framework with low-risk methods.

For information, Neuralink implanted a brain chip into the first patient named Noland Arbaugh last January. He is a patient who was paralyzed from the shoulders down due to an accident he experienced in 2016.

So far, according to Neuralink, Arbaugh is able to carry out several activities such as playing games, browsing the internet, and trying out his computer.

Source : CNBC INDONESIA