Summary
TLDR: FDA inspectors raised concerns about animal welfare at Neuralink during an inspection of the brain chip startup’s lab, citing lack of documentation related to equipment maintenance and hygiene. Despite these findings, the FDA did not reject Neuralink’s request to proceed with human trials. The company has faced criticism for its treatment of animals in the past, with reports of monkeys suffering post-surgery. Neuralink has not responded to requests for comment.
Key Points
1. Inspectors from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised concerns about how animal welfare at Neuralink was being assessed and documented during an inspection of the brain chip startup’s California laboratory.
2. Neuralink failed to produce materials related to the maintenance of scientific equipment, hygiene, and animal welfare at its Fremont laboratory during an FDA inspection in June.
3. The FDA’s findings were not sufficient to prompt the agency to reject Neuralink’s request to proceed with human trials.