Monkey brain chips research involving company Elon Musk co-founded drawing fire in California

Critics are raising concerns about medical research conducted at the University of California, Davis, on live monkeys involving a company co-founded by Elon Musk called Neuralink, CBS San Francisco reports.

For several years, more than 20 monkeys from the UC Davis Primate Center were used in research to treat brain disorders. The Neuralink product is a computer interface that can be implanted in a brain to control motor function.

Pager, a 9-year-old macaque, had a Neuralink chip placed on each side of his brain. With him, Pager was able to play the video game Pong using only his brain waves.

“If you know someone who has had a broken neck or spine, we can fix it with a chip,” Musk said earlier on Neuralink.

The researchers used UC Davis primates to see if the experimental concept would work.

“You have to try it and make sure it’s as safe as possible before using it on a human subject,” said Jim Newman of Americans for Medical Progress.

Opponents of the investigation say that primates are subjected to abusive experiments that sometimes end in death.

“Neuralink gave UC Davis $ 1.4 million over two and a half years to cut the monkeys’ skulls and implant those devices,” said Ryan Merkley of the group’s medical committee for responsible medicine.

“I’m absolutely devastated and mad and angry because the money shouldn’t be able to take over the lives of the animals and hurt them,” said animal rights activist Linda Middlesworth.

A lawsuit has been filed against the university requesting that documents about the investigation be released and a complaint has been filed with the federal authorities.

“For us, it’s very clear that these were violations of the Animal Welfare Act,” Merkley said.

UC Davis responded in a statement, “We strive to provide the best possible care for the animals in our care. Animal research is strictly regulated and UC Davis follows all applicable laws and regulations.”

It is a legal battle of conflicting opinions about cutting-edge medical research.

“This technology is very promising,” Newman said.

“Animals need not be subjected to these deadly invasive experiments,” Merkley said.

The primate center has had several fatal mishaps with monkeys in the past. Seven infant primates died in 2018 due to accidental poisoning. In 2016, a primate died after trying to escape, and in 2013, one died after being trapped in its cage.

UC Davis says its collaboration with Neuralink ended in 2020.

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