Human Study For Elon Musk-Backed Neuralink Brain Chip Faced FDA Rejection 1 Year Ago, Company Still Working To Resolve Issues

FDA has reportedly blocked human trials for brain implants from Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk.
As per seven current and former employees, the brain chip company did not seek FDA permission until early 2022 – and the agency rejected the application, despite Musk being vocal on his intention to start human trials for the implant since 2019.
The agency outlined several issues, Reuters reported, citing the staffers, including:
- The device's lithium battery
- The potential for the implant's tiny wires to move to other areas of the brain.
- Devices' removal without damaging brain tissue.
In a "Show & Tell" event held in December last year, Musk said that in less than six months, Neuralink would have its first device in a human.
A year after the rejection, Neuralink is still working to address the mentioned issues.
Three staffers were not very confident that the company could resolve the issues – despite Musk's latest prediction at a Nov. 30 presentation that the company would secure FDA human-trial approval in 2023.
Most recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it is probing Neuralink for potentially illegal movement of hazardous pathogens and facing allegations of animal cruelty.
Neuralink is working to build a brain chip interface that can be implanted within the skull, which it says could eventually help the disabled move & communicate again and restore vision.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons