Figure 1: Monkey uses Neuralink chip to control cursor with its mind. (WSJ, 2023)
“Neuralink will make the paralyzed walk, the blind see, and eventually turn people into cyborgs.” Said by perhaps the most controversial man in science—Elon Musk—this claim has garnered quite a bit of attention. Recently, Musk’s company, Neuralink, began testing its brain implants on humans. Unfortunately, these trials were largely unsuccessful.
Due to rising concerns as to how, long lasting but often explosive, lithium batteries inside the implant and wires connecting the implant to the brain would affect the human “atmosphere,” the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) rejected the proposal. They also questioned the safety of the product, and specifically if it could be removed without causing brain damage. Despite Musk’s efforts to implement his vision of the world through his technology, the many dangers of human-technology interaction have weighed his project down.
Along with the FDA’s rejection of human testing, Neuralink has also been under investigation because of a reported federal violation of the Animal Welfare Act. According to multiple whistleblowers, more than 1,500 animals have been killed through the testing of the brain chip. This has sparked concern amongst investigators, as many now believe that Musk’s “perfect future” is not so perfect anymore. With the USDA (the United States Department of Agriculture) becoming involved in the investigation, Neuralink’s success has come into question.
Nevertheless, the overall brain chip industry has continued to grow. According to the Insider, “BCIs (brain chip interfaces) [have] helped the people feel like they were returning to themselves by helping treat the underlying disease” (“How Brain Chips Can Change You”). News like this has increased industry demand since many stakeholders are intrigued by the current and future effectiveness and profitability of brain chips. The company responsible for this is Synchron, a company dedicated to “creat[ing] an endovascular implant that can transfer information from every corner of the brain at scale.” With their “catheter-delivered Stentrode brain-computer interface (BCI) implant,” (“7 brain-computer interface companies you need to know”), this company has successfully proven to the world that brain chips are not just plot devices from 90s science-fiction novels.
What makes Synchron’s chip unique compared to its competitors is that it takes advantage of blood vessels to capture signals from the brain. While other companies measure brain signals through neurons directly, Synchron’s usage of blood vessels makes the process simpler, safer, and more accessible. With the success of their implants during initial testing, Synchron also received approval from the FDA for more extensive testing. According to MassDevice.com, last month Synchron’s “Stentrode device [had been] implanted as part of Synchron’s Command trial, operating under FDA investigational device exemption to assess a permanently implanted brain-computer interface.” (“7 brain-computer interface companies you need to know''). It seems as if brain chips are closer to becoming a reality.
What was before only seen in comic books and movies is now an "accessible" device. As Elon Musk said himself, in the upcoming future, brain chips will be just like your average cell phone or smartwatch— and soon, they just might become a part of you.