Tech billionaire and entrepreneur Elon Musk on Sunday (May 24) praised his brain-chip company Neuralink, calling its work “Jesus-level technologies” for “Enabling people to control a computer with their mind and the completely blind to see.”&nbsp;In a post on X, Musk said, “Neuralink is a much bigger breakthrough than most people realise.”&nbsp;The SpaceX CEO was responding to a social media post describing Starship as one of the last major engineering achievements created entirely by humans before artificial intelligence transforms innovation and design.&nbsp;“Starship may end up being the last truly gigantic engineering marvel built entirely by human hands and 20-watt biological meat computers before AI fundamentally transforms how civilisation designs and builds everything,” an X user named @XFreeze wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Neuralink is a much bigger breakthrough than most people realize. Enabling people to control a computer with their mind and the completely blind to see are Jesus-level miracles.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2058362581769711961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Musk’s remarks came days after he spoke at the Samson International Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv, where he highlighted Neuralink’s progress in developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The company aims to directly connect the human brain with digital devices.&nbsp;According to Musk, Neuralink has already helped patients who lost brain-body communication regain the ability to interact using computers. He suggested that restoring mobility and vision could soon become possible through the technology.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-don-t-rush-into-deal-trump-says-iran-blockade-to-remain-until-agreement-is-signed-1779633417703">‘Don’t rush into deal’: Trump says Iran blockade to remain until agreement is signed</a>&nbsp;The company has reportedly implanted its Telepathy BCI device in more than 20 patients suffering from paralysis. These patients can now operate computers, phones and even robotic systems using only their thoughts. Neuralink has also been conducting trials on implants designed to restore speech.&nbsp;Musk said Neuralink’s Blindsight implant could eventually help restore vision and may even offer “perhaps superhuman vision” in the future. He has previously spoken about the possibility of Neuralink giving humans “superpowers” as the technology develops further.“Restoring control of people who are tetraplegics and restoring sight, I think, are pretty big deals,” Musk said at the summit. “They’re sort of what I might call Jesus-level technologies.”&nbsp;According to startup data platform Tracxn, Neuralink has raised around $1.29 billion and is currently valued at nearly $9 billion. Musk has said the company plans to begin “high-volume production” of its brain-chip devices in 2026.

Musk said Neuralink’s technology has already enabled paralysed patients to communicate and operate computers through brain signals, adding that the company is now working towards restoring movement and eyesight through its implants.

Tech billionaire and entrepreneur Elon Musk on Sunday (May 24) praised his brain-chip company Neuralink, calling its work “Jesus-level technologies” for “Enabling people to control a computer with their mind and the completely blind to see.” In a post on X, Musk said, “Neuralink is a much bigger breakthrough than most people realise.” The SpaceX CEO was responding to a social media post describing Starship as one of the last major engineering achievements created entirely by humans before artificial intelligence transforms innovation and design. “Starship may end up being the last truly gigantic engineering marvel built entirely by human hands and 20-watt biological meat computers before AI fundamentally transforms how civilisation designs and builds everything,” an X user named @XFreeze wrote.

Musk said Neuralink’s technology has already enabled paralysed patients to communicate and operate computers through brain signals, adding that the company is now working towards restoring movement and eyesight through its implants.

Elon Musk’s ‘Jesus-level miracles’ remark on Neuralink sparks row

In July 2025, Elon Musk’s company Neuralink, which works on connecting the brain to computers has announced a major achievement. For the first time, they successfully performed two brain implant surgeries on a single day and both the patients are now recovering well. “We successfully completed both P8 and P9 this weekend, our first time performing two surgeries in one day,” Neuralink wrote in its post on X (formerly Twitter). One of the Neuralink patients, Audrey Crews, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) showing her laptop screen with her name written on it.&nbsp;What made this moment so special and rare is that she didn’t use her hands but yet she typed it using only her thoughts. In her post, she wrote, “I tried writing my name for the first time in 20 years. I'm working on it. Lol.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I tried writing my name for the first time in 20 years. Im working on it. Lol <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Neuralink?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Neuralink</a> <a href="https://t.co/xzPBam5mAS">pic.twitter.com/xzPBam5mAS</a>&mdash; Audrey Crews (@NeuraNova9) <a href="https://twitter.com/NeuraNova9/status/1949252377145708931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The post quickly gained attention on all over the social media, getting over two million views. Many people shared it on their X timelines and praised the breakthrough. Even Tesla CEO and founder of the brain-chip company, Elon Musk responded to this news.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-s-neuralink-to-test-brain-chip-for-paralysis-patients-in-the-uk-1754041032663">https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-s-neuralink-to-test-brain-chip-for-paralysis-patients-in-the-uk-1754041032663</a> &nbsp;"She is controlling her computer just by thinking," Elon Musk, wrote on X. "Most people don't realise this is possible."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">She is controlling her computer just by thinking. Most people don’t realize this is possible. <a href="https://t.co/5XnOaLfJU7">https://t.co/5XnOaLfJU7</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1949580513364320638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Who is Audrey Crews?</h2>Audrey Crews is known as "P9" in Neuralink’s trial and she recently became the first woman to receive a brain chip from Neuralink. Crews has been paralysed for last 20 years. She explained on her 'X' post that the chip, known as a brain-computer interface (BCI) allows her to control her computer just by thinking and in the future, she hopes to use it to control more devices.&nbsp;Sharing her story on X, she said, “I had surgery last week and everything is going amazing. It was brain surgery, they drilled a hole in my skull and placed 128 threads into my motor cortex. The chip is about the size of a quarter.”&nbsp;“The BCI lets me control my computer using my mind. I'll be able to control more electronic devices in the near future. I also want to clarify this implant will not allow me to walk again or regain movement. Its strictly for telepathy only. We are still in Miami but I'll be home soon and we'll post more vids explaining the proses in more detail. I am the first women in the world to do this." she added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here&#39;s more information about how my BCI, brain computer interface, implant works and my surgery. I had surgery last week and everything is going amazing. It was brain surgery, they drilled a hole in my skull and placed 128 threads into my motor cortex. The chip is about the size…&mdash; Audrey Crews (@NeuraNova9) <a href="https://twitter.com/NeuraNova9/status/1949635830697390312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>How does the Neuralink implant work?</h2>Neuralink, started in 2016 is a developing implantable brain–computer interfaces called BCIs. The main device, known as “The Link” or “N1 Implant" is placed inside the human skull. From there, &nbsp;these soft threads go into specific parts of the brain and mainly the motor cortex and it helps to control movement.&nbsp;These threads have electrodes that pick up brain signals and when someone thinks about doing something like moving a cursor, their brain makes special electrical patterns. The implant catches these signals and sends them wirelessly to an outside device, just like a computer.&nbsp;Then the computer uses special software to understand the brain signals and then turn them into actions. In Audrey’s case, her thoughts become movements on the screen. She can move the cursor, type words or draw things, all just by thinking.

Audrey Crews, who has been paralysed for 20 years has become the first women to control the computer with her mind. She used only her thoughts to move a computer cursor and write her name, all with the help of Neuralink’s brain chip.

In July 2025, Elon Musk’s company Neuralink, which works on connecting the brain to computers has announced a major achievement. For the first time, they successfully performed two brain implant surgeries on a single day and both the patients are now recovering well. “We successfully completed both P8 and P9 this weekend, our first time performing two surgeries in one day,” Neuralink wrote in its post on X (formerly Twitter). One of the Neuralink patients, Audrey Crews, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) showing her laptop screen with her name written on it. What made this moment so special and rare is that she didn’t use her hands but yet she typed it using only her thoughts. In her post, she wrote, “I tried writing my name for the first time in 20 years. I'm working on it. Lol.”

Audrey Crews, who has been paralysed for 20 years has become the first women to control the computer with her mind. She used only her thoughts to move a computer cursor and write her name, all with the help of Neuralink’s brain chip.

Audrey Crews becomes first paralysed woman to control computer with her mind, check how Musk's Neuralink helped her

Neuralink to study mind-controlled tech in UK patients with paralysis, Neuralink to test chip implants in the brain in the UK for people who are suffering from paralysisElon Musk’s Neuralink Neuralink has announced a clinical study in the United Kingdom to test how brain implants can help people with severe paralysis. In post on X Neuralink said it will work with University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Newcastle Hospitals for the trial. &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇬🇧 We’re launching a clinical study in Great Britain! In partnership with <a href="https://twitter.com/uclh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uclh</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/NewcastleHosps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NewcastleHosps</a>, we’re exploring how our brain-computer interface can restore digital autonomy to individuals with severe paralysis by enabling them to control devices with their thoughts. <a href="https://t.co/gajGwIgm5a">pic.twitter.com/gajGwIgm5a</a>&mdash; Neuralink (@neuralink) <a href="https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1950934482434802162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Neuralink said the study will include patients who are paralysed due to spinal cord injuries or a nervous system condition known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).<h2> What will the study test?</h2>Neuralink’s brain chip is designed to allow users to control digital and physical devices just by thinking. The goal is to improve independence for people who cannot move their bodies due to neurological disorders.&nbsp;As of now, as per Neuralink, five people with severe paralysis are already using the chip to operate devices with their thoughts. The UK study will help the company learn more about how safe and effective the technology is in a clinical setting.&nbsp;<h2>Safety clearance and funding</h2>Neuralink started human trials earlier in 2024 after receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA had earlier rejected the company’s application in 2022, citing safety concerns, but allowed its testing after few revisions were made by Neuralink.&nbsp;In its latest funding round last month, Neuralink raised $650 million. Since its launch in 2016, the company has raised around $1.3 billion and now it is valued at about $9 billion, according to PitchBook data.<h2>Why this trial matters</h2>This trial shows Neuralink’s first public clinical study outside the United States. Working with trusted UK hospitals like UCLH and Newcastle will give the project scientific and ethical oversight. The study could help shape how brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is used in healthcare.&nbsp;Brain implants like Neuralink’s chips are part of a wider trend in neurotechnology.&nbsp; The results of this trial could be very important and revolutionary for the future of treatment options for people with limited mobility and blind.&nbsp;As trials progress, doctors, patients and regulators will watch closely to see how well the chip works and whether it can safely offer real-life benefits to those who need it most.

Neuralink begins trial in UK to test brain chip implants, which is aimed at helping people with paralysis control devices using thought. For this, they have partnered with leading hospitals. Could this be a breakthrough in neurotechnology? Know below.

Neuralink to study mind-controlled tech in UK patients with paralysis, Neuralink to test chip implants in the brain in the UK for people who are suffering from paralysis Elon Musk’s Neuralink Neuralink has announced a clinical study in the United Kingdom to test how brain implants can help people with severe paralysis. In post on X Neuralink said it will work with University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Newcastle Hospitals for the trial.

Neuralink begins trial in UK to test brain chip implants, which is aimed at helping people with paralysis control devices using thought. For this, they have partnered with leading hospitals. Could this be a breakthrough in neurotechnology? Know below.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink to test brain chip for paralysis patients in the UK

Neuralink now allows those with paralysis to use computers, play games, and write just by thinking. Recent trials are helping people reclaim independence, and it can transform how humans connect with technology. Read more below.

How Neuralink is letting people control tech with thought

Elon Musk’s Neuralink aims to restore movement, boost memory, and connect human brains to AI by inserting a Neuralink chip into the brain. Neuralink could change the way humans interact in the coming years.

6 ways Elon Musk’s Neuralink could transform humans into superhumans

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Neuralink, announced during a recent social media event that the first human recipient of the company's brain-chip implant has fully recovered. The individual has demonstrated the remarkable ability to manipulate a computer mouse solely through their thoughts.&nbsp;

"Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking," Musk said in a Spaces event on social media platform X.

According to him, the patient's recovery has been smooth, with no reported complications. The newfound capability to manoeuver a computer mouse through pure thought signifies a significant milestone in Neuralink's journey.&nbsp;

Musk disclosed that Neuralink's focus has now shifted towards maximising the patient's interaction with the computer interface. The objective is to increase the number of mouse button clicks achieved solely through neural signals.

While the initial reports are promising, Neuralink has yet to provide additional information in response to queries from Reuters. The company's silence leaves room for speculation regarding the intricacies of the procedure and the extent of the patient's recovery.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nothing-short-of-remarkable-this-is-how-much-elon-musk-earns-in-one-minute-690652">Also read |&nbsp;'Nothing short of remarkable': THIS is how much Elon Musk earns in one minute</a>

<h2>Innovative approach to brain-computer interface</h2>

Neuralink's groundbreaking achievement stems from its approach to brain-computer interface technology.

The procedure involves the precise placement of a chip within the brain's motor control region, facilitating the translation of intentions into actions.

Initial applications aim to empower people&nbsp;to manipulate computer cursors and keyboards using their thoughts.

Also watch |&nbsp;Elon Musk's X received payments from terrorists

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Elon Musk envisions a future where Neuralink's technology revolutionises the treatment of various medical conditions. Beyond assisting with motor control, he believes the chips could offer solutions for conditions such as obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia.&nbsp;

Despite its achievements, Neuralink has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding safety protocols. Recent reports revealed fines imposed on the company for violating transportation regulations.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Neuralink, announced during a recent social media event that the first human recipient of the company's brain-chip implant has fully recovered.

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Neuralink, announced during a recent social media event that the first human recipient of the company's brain-chip implant has fully recovered. The individual has demonstrated the remarkable ability to manipulate a computer mouse solely through their thoughts. "Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking," Musk said in a Spaces event on social media platform X. According to him, the patient's recovery has been smooth, with no reported complications. The newfound capability to manoeuver a computer mouse through pure thought signifies a significant milestone in Neuralink's journey. Musk disclosed that Neuralink's focus has now shifted towards maximising the patient's interaction with the computer interface. The objective is to increase the number of mouse button clicks achieved solely through neural signals. While the initial reports are promising, Neuralink has yet to provide additional information in response to queries from Reuters. The company's silence leaves room for speculation regarding the intricacies of the procedure and the extent of the patient's recovery. Also read | 'Nothing short of remarkable': THIS is how much Elon Musk earns in one minute Innovative approach to brain-computer interface Neuralink's groundbreaking achievement stems from its approach to brain-computer interface technology. The procedure involves the precise placement of a chip within the brain's motor control region, facilitating the translation of intentions into actions. Initial applications aim to empower people to manipulate computer cursors and keyboards using their thoughts. Also watch | Elon Musk's X received payments from terrorists Elon Musk envisions a future where Neuralink's technology revolutionises the treatment of various medical conditions. Beyond assisting with motor control, he believes the chips could offer solutions for conditions such as obesity, autism, depression, and schizophrenia. Despite its achievements, Neuralink has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding safety protocols. Recent reports revealed fines imposed on the company for violating transportation regulations. (With inputs from agencies)

Neuralink's first human patient can now control computer mouse with thoughts, Musk confirms

Elon Musk&nbsp;announced in France on Friday that his brain-chip startup, Neuralink, is expected to equip the first human being with neural implants "this year".

Speaking at the VivaTech event in Paris, Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, Twitter, and SpaceX, stated that Neuralink plans to conduct a webcasted implantation procedure.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-neuralink-cleared-for-human-test-of-brain-implants-596576">Elon Musk's Neuralink cleared for human test of brain implants</a>

Musk, however, did not provide specific details regarding the number of patients or the duration of the trial.

Last month, Neuralink received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its initial human clinical trial in what was described as a&nbsp;significant milestone for the company.

<h2>Neuralink's animal experiments controversy</h2>

Neuralink is also currently under investigation in the United States for its handling of animal experiments.&nbsp;

Former Neuralink employees have previously&nbsp;revealed that the company rushed and mishandled surgeries on monkeys, pigs, and sheep, resulting in unnecessary animal deaths. Musk allegedly pressured staff to obtain FDA approval, and the animal experiments were intended to support the company's application for human trials.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Musk's Neuralink gets green light to conduct human trials

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Experts have noted that even if Neuralink demonstrates the safety of its device in humans, it could take several years, possibly more than a decade, to obtain commercial use clearance.

Furthermore, the company faces competition from other neurotech firms that have already implanted their devices in humans.

Musk has previously missed deadlines when making public announcements about Neuralink.

<h2>Safety concerns over Neuralink's implants</h2>

Since 2019, Musk predicted human trials would begin on at least four occasions, multiple reports stated.

Neuralink, founded in 2016, initially sought FDA approval in early 2022 but was rejected due to numerous safety concerns.&nbsp;

These concerns included the lithium battery of the device, the potential migration of implant wires within the brain, and the challenge of extracting the device safely without damaging brain tissue.

<h2>Neuralink's valuation soars</h2>

Despite these controversies, Neuralink's valuation has soared in recent months.

After being valued at nearly $2 billion in a private fundraising round two years ago, the company's worth has now reached approximately $5 billion based on privately executed stock trades.

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Elon Musk announced in France on Friday that his brain-chip startup, Neuralink, is expected to equip the first human being with neural implants "this year". Speaking at the VivaTech event in Paris, Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, Twitter, and SpaceX, stated that Neuralink plans to conduct a webcasted implantation procedure.

Elon Musk announced in France on Friday that his brain-chip startup, Neuralink, is expected to equip the first human being with neural implants "this year". Speaking at the VivaTech event in Paris, Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, Twitter, and SpaceX, stated that Neuralink plans to conduct a webcasted implantation procedure. Also read | Elon Musk's Neuralink cleared for human test of brain implants Musk, however, did not provide specific details regarding the number of patients or the duration of the trial. Last month, Neuralink received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its initial human clinical trial in what was described as a significant milestone for the company. Neuralink's animal experiments controversy Neuralink is also currently under investigation in the United States for its handling of animal experiments. Former Neuralink employees have previously revealed that the company rushed and mishandled surgeries on monkeys, pigs, and sheep, resulting in unnecessary animal deaths. Musk allegedly pressured staff to obtain FDA approval, and the animal experiments were intended to support the company's application for human trials. Also watch | Gravitas: Musk's Neuralink gets green light to conduct human trials × Experts have noted that even if Neuralink demonstrates the safety of its device in humans, it could take several years, possibly more than a decade, to obtain commercial use clearance. Furthermore, the company faces competition from other neurotech firms that have already implanted their devices in humans. Musk has previously missed deadlines when making public announcements about Neuralink. Safety concerns over Neuralink's implants Since 2019, Musk predicted human trials would begin on at least four occasions, multiple reports stated. Neuralink, founded in 2016, initially sought FDA approval in early 2022 but was rejected due to numerous safety concerns. These concerns included the lithium battery of the device, the potential migration of implant wires within the brain, and the challenge of extracting the device safely without damaging brain tissue. Neuralink's valuation soars Despite these controversies, Neuralink's valuation has soared in recent months. After being valued at nearly $2 billion in a private fundraising round two years ago, the company's worth has now reached approximately $5 billion based on privately executed stock trades. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Elon Musk to webcast Neuralink's first brain chip implantation in a human this year

Law enforcement officials investigating Elon Musk's Neuralink Corp over its animal trial programme are also scrutinising the US&nbsp;Department of Agriculture’s oversight of the company's operations, after the agency failed to act on violations at other research organizations, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Reuters reported on Dec. 5 that the USDA's watchdog, the Office of the Inspector General, is investigating Neuralink, a medical device company that is developing brain implants, over potential animal welfare violations. A federal prosecutor in the civil division at the US&nbsp;Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California requested the probe, people familiar with the matter said.

Reuters was unable to determine what potential violations are being investigated. The Dec. 5 report identified four experiments in recent years, involving 86 pigs and two monkeys, that were marred by human errors. The mistakes weakened the experiments’ research value and required the tests to be repeated, leading to more animals being killed.

Given that the USDA cleared Neuralink's facilities during eight visits in the last three years, federal investigators believe there is merit in reviewing the USDA's oversight of the company as it considers potential animal welfare violations, said the individuals who are familiar with the investigation.

These sources said the decision by federal investigators to scrutinise the USDA was bolstered by criticism from the USDA's Office of the Inspector General, which has for years described the agency as overstretched and ineffective.

In 2014, the watchdog noted in a report that the department’s enforcement office “had a backlog of over 2,000 cases, a volume so large that (animal inspectors) could not quickly address serious violations.”

A USDA spokesperson told Reuters the agency could not comment on anything related to Neuralink and referred all requests to the inspector general, whose office declined to comment. The agency did not respond to requests for comment on its record monitoring animal research experiments nationally.

The Justice Department and the US&nbsp;Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California declined to comment. Spokespersons for Neuralink and Musk did not respond to comment requests.

The USDA's handling of a recent high-profile case involving Envigo, a research and dog breeding facility, also factored into the federal investigators’ decision to look at the agency's oversight of Neuralink, the sources told Reuters.

In that case, law enforcement officials eventually intervened, filing charges against the firm this year that resulted in a civil consent decree that required Envigo to give up around 4,000 beagles to the Humane Society of the United States.

The parent company for Envigo said in a statement to Reuters that it did not need to pay any fines or admit wrongdoing in its agreement with the Justice Department.

GREAT LEEWAY

A Reuters review of government records and interviews with two current and former USDA employees, one lawmaker and more than a dozen animal welfare experts paint a picture of an overextended agency that struggles to regulate animal testing.

The USDA’s animal care unit employs just 122 inspectors countrywide. They are responsible for the oversight of 11,785 facilities, including labs, breeders and zoos, the Congressional Research Service, which conducts analyses for the US&nbsp;Congress, reported in July.

The USDA inspector general has published at least three reports since 2014 critical of the agency’s lax oversight, though its criticism dates back to the 1990s.

The lack of resources means the agency is often not able to hold researchers accountable when they fail to comply with the law, the inspector general found in its 2014 audit.

The USDA's lab inspectors operate separately from the agency's inspector general, which audits the USDA and investigates animal-welfare crimes to assist U.S. prosecutors.

The law gives animal researchers great leeway to conduct various tests, though companies can be sanctioned when they don’t conduct experiments in the manner that their committees approved, according to three experts on the regulations interviewed by Reuters.

Some advocates of the current system – many of whom work in medical research – argue it affords researchers the freedom they need to advance life-saving medical treatments.

Naomi Charalambakis, the associate director of science policy for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, said animal research was already "highly regulated, highly scrutinised" and that no further regulation is needed.&nbsp;She said she did not believe that what Reuters reported occurred at Neuralink is representative of the vast majority of research labs.

The Animal Welfare Act, which governs animal experiments, omits mice and rats. This is despite them making up the vast majority of all animals used, including at Neuralink, according to more than a dozen current and former company employees.

The law dictates that research facilities form committees to review the use and care of animals in experiments. Only one committee member has to be unaffiliated with the research facility. In human trials, all panel members involved in the oversight must be independent to avoid undue corporate pressure and other conflicts of interest.

Neuralink’s animal care director Autumn Sorrells leads the company’s committee, which consists of more than half a dozen Neuralink employees and three outsiders, according to internal company documents reviewed by Reuters.

Sorrells did not respond to a request for comment. Neuralink says on its website that it champions animal welfare and tries to reduce animal testing where possible.

Two academic studies conducted in 2009 and 2012 found that animal research committees approved between 98% and 99% of experiments proposed by researchers.

The USDA was especially accommodating under former U.S. President Donald Trump, when the agency allowed researchers to avoid violations if they reported them first.

In 2019 Neuralink and its research partner at the time, the University of California Davis, self-reported an incident in which a Neuralink surgeon used a sealant on a monkey to close a void between two brain implants without the glue having been approved by the research committee, according to emails and public records obtained by advocacy group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).

A spokesperson for the university declined to comment.

The USDA decided there was no violation because of the rule change introduced in 2018 under the Trump administration, Robert Gibbens, an agency official, told PCRM on Dec. 6 in an email seen by Reuters.

"The facility discovered the noncompliance using its own compliance monitoring program, and immediately took appropriate corrective action and established measures to prevent recurrence," Gibbens wrote in the email. "Therefore ... there were no citations on the inspection report."

The USDA last year changed its policy so that self-reporting a violation no longer avoids a citation.

Gibbens referred Reuters to a USDA spokesperson, who did not respond to a request for comment.

LIMITED CONSEQUENCES

Two animal researchers told Reuters that USDA sanctions for any infractions they committed would be minor compared to the resources and funding of their institutions.

The USDA’s maximum fine of $12,771 per day per animal is rarely doled out, and the usual fines, potentially in the couple-thousands of dollars, are viewed by violators as "a normal cost of business," the inspector general found in a report in 2014.

The inspector general audits the animal inspection program sporadically and the maximum penalties haven’t changed since then.

Moreover, the vast majority of violations result in warnings or no action at all, according to a 2017 analysis by Delcianna Winders, an animal law expert at the Vermont Law and Graduate School. Her research found that issuing mere warnings frequently failed to incentivize compliance with the law.

The analyses by Winders and the inspector general are the most recent Reuters found. This year, the agency has fined only two research facilities – for less than $6,000 each – and issued warnings to five labs, public filings show.

The USDA’s inspection service said in 2021 it opened only 118 cases following 7,670 site inspections, issued 58 official warnings, obtained eight administrative orders and suspended one facility’s license for five years.

Some animal-welfare advocates interviewed by Reuters point to such statistics in arguing that more enforcement is needed.

“There has been this culture of non-enforcement that permeates the agency,” said Ingrid Seggerman, senior director of federal affairs for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The agency’s handling of Envigo is a case in point, these advocates say. Beginning in 2021, USDA inspectors uncovered multiple violations at Envigo's facilities during routine inspections, including maggot-infested dog food and more than 300 dead puppies, but took no action.

Reuters could not determine why the agency did not intervene to address what U.S. prosecutors later called violations of animal-welfare laws.

Envigo was made to sign the consent decree giving up the beagles only after the USDA inspector general and the Justice Department investigated and found evidence of inhumane treatment.

USDA inspectors cannot review every facility each year, despite their mandate to do so, because of their limited resources, and inspect about 65 percent of them instead, the Congressional Research Service reported this year.

Only about 0.008% of the agency’s most recent budget of $430 billion goes to enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, according to Eric Kleiman, a researcher at the Animal Welfare Institute, an advocacy group. The figures were confirmed by Reuters.

“This funding is a pittance, as you can see, compared to the wealth, size and power of, say, many research facilities, let alone Elon Musk,” Kleiman said.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Law enforcement officials investigating Elon Musk's Neuralink Corp over its animal trial programme are also scrutinising the US Department of Agriculture’s oversight of the company's operations, after the agency failed to act on violations at other research organizations, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Law enforcement officials investigating Elon Musk's Neuralink Corp over its animal trial programme are also scrutinising the US Department of Agriculture’s oversight of the company's operations, after the agency failed to act on violations at other research organizations, according to several people familiar with the matter. Reuters reported on Dec. 5 that the USDA's watchdog, the Office of the Inspector General, is investigating Neuralink, a medical device company that is developing brain implants, over potential animal welfare violations. A federal prosecutor in the civil division at the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California requested the probe, people familiar with the matter said. Reuters was unable to determine what potential violations are being investigated. The Dec. 5 report identified four experiments in recent years, involving 86 pigs and two monkeys, that were marred by human errors. The mistakes weakened the experiments’ research value and required the tests to be repeated, leading to more animals being killed. Given that the USDA cleared Neuralink's facilities during eight visits in the last three years, federal investigators believe there is merit in reviewing the USDA's oversight of the company as it considers potential animal welfare violations, said the individuals who are familiar with the investigation. These sources said the decision by federal investigators to scrutinise the USDA was bolstered by criticism from the USDA's Office of the Inspector General, which has for years described the agency as overstretched and ineffective. In 2014, the watchdog noted in a report that the department’s enforcement office “had a backlog of over 2,000 cases, a volume so large that (animal inspectors) could not quickly address serious violations.” A USDA spokesperson told Reuters the agency could not comment on anything related to Neuralink and referred all requests to the inspector general, whose office declined to comment. The agency did not respond to requests for comment on its record monitoring animal research experiments nationally. The Justice Department and the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California declined to comment. Spokespersons for Neuralink and Musk did not respond to comment requests. The USDA's handling of a recent high-profile case involving Envigo, a research and dog breeding facility, also factored into the federal investigators’ decision to look at the agency's oversight of Neuralink, the sources told Reuters. In that case, law enforcement officials eventually intervened, filing charges against the firm this year that resulted in a civil consent decree that required Envigo to give up around 4,000 beagles to the Humane Society of the United States. The parent company for Envigo said in a statement to Reuters that it did not need to pay any fines or admit wrongdoing in its agreement with the Justice Department. GREAT LEEWAY A Reuters review of government records and interviews with two current and former USDA employees, one lawmaker and more than a dozen animal welfare experts paint a picture of an overextended agency that struggles to regulate animal testing. The USDA’s animal care unit employs just 122 inspectors countrywide. They are responsible for the oversight of 11,785 facilities, including labs, breeders and zoos, the Congressional Research Service, which conducts analyses for the US Congress, reported in July. The USDA inspector general has published at least three reports since 2014 critical of the agency’s lax oversight, though its criticism dates back to the 1990s. The lack of resources means the agency is often not able to hold researchers accountable when they fail to comply with the law, the inspector general found in its 2014 audit. The USDA's lab inspectors operate separately from the agency's inspector general, which audits the USDA and investigates animal-welfare crimes to assist U.S. prosecutors. The law gives animal researchers great leeway to conduct various tests, though companies can be sanctioned when they don’t conduct experiments in the manner that their committees approved, according to three experts on the regulations interviewed by Reuters. Some advocates of the current system – many of whom work in medical research – argue it affords researchers the freedom they need to advance life-saving medical treatments. Naomi Charalambakis, the associate director of science policy for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, said animal research was already "highly regulated, highly scrutinised" and that no further regulation is needed. She said she did not believe that what Reuters reported occurred at Neuralink is representative of the vast majority of research labs. The Animal Welfare Act, which governs animal experiments, omits mice and rats. This is despite them making up the vast majority of all animals used, including at Neuralink, according to more than a dozen current and former company employees. The law dictates that research facilities form committees to review the use and care of animals in experiments. Only one committee member has to be unaffiliated with the research facility. In human trials, all panel members involved in the oversight must be independent to avoid undue corporate pressure and other conflicts of interest. Neuralink’s animal care director Autumn Sorrells leads the company’s committee, which consists of more than half a dozen Neuralink employees and three outsiders, according to internal company documents reviewed by Reuters. Sorrells did not respond to a request for comment. Neuralink says on its website that it champions animal welfare and tries to reduce animal testing where possible. Two academic studies conducted in 2009 and 2012 found that animal research committees approved between 98% and 99% of experiments proposed by researchers. The USDA was especially accommodating under former U.S. President Donald Trump, when the agency allowed researchers to avoid violations if they reported them first. In 2019 Neuralink and its research partner at the time, the University of California Davis, self-reported an incident in which a Neuralink surgeon used a sealant on a monkey to close a void between two brain implants without the glue having been approved by the research committee, according to emails and public records obtained by advocacy group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). A spokesperson for the university declined to comment. The USDA decided there was no violation because of the rule change introduced in 2018 under the Trump administration, Robert Gibbens, an agency official, told PCRM on Dec. 6 in an email seen by Reuters. "The facility discovered the noncompliance using its own compliance monitoring program, and immediately took appropriate corrective action and established measures to prevent recurrence," Gibbens wrote in the email. "Therefore ... there were no citations on the inspection report." The USDA last year changed its policy so that self-reporting a violation no longer avoids a citation. Gibbens referred Reuters to a USDA spokesperson, who did not respond to a request for comment. LIMITED CONSEQUENCES Two animal researchers told Reuters that USDA sanctions for any infractions they committed would be minor compared to the resources and funding of their institutions. The USDA’s maximum fine of $12,771 per day per animal is rarely doled out, and the usual fines, potentially in the couple-thousands of dollars, are viewed by violators as "a normal cost of business," the inspector general found in a report in 2014. The inspector general audits the animal inspection program sporadically and the maximum penalties haven’t changed since then. Moreover, the vast majority of violations result in warnings or no action at all, according to a 2017 analysis by Delcianna Winders, an animal law expert at the Vermont Law and Graduate School. Her research found that issuing mere warnings frequently failed to incentivize compliance with the law. The analyses by Winders and the inspector general are the most recent Reuters found. This year, the agency has fined only two research facilities – for less than $6,000 each – and issued warnings to five labs, public filings show. The USDA’s inspection service said in 2021 it opened only 118 cases following 7,670 site inspections, issued 58 official warnings, obtained eight administrative orders and suspended one facility’s license for five years. Some animal-welfare advocates interviewed by Reuters point to such statistics in arguing that more enforcement is needed. “There has been this culture of non-enforcement that permeates the agency,” said Ingrid Seggerman, senior director of federal affairs for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The agency’s handling of Envigo is a case in point, these advocates say. Beginning in 2021, USDA inspectors uncovered multiple violations at Envigo's facilities during routine inspections, including maggot-infested dog food and more than 300 dead puppies, but took no action. Reuters could not determine why the agency did not intervene to address what U.S. prosecutors later called violations of animal-welfare laws. Envigo was made to sign the consent decree giving up the beagles only after the USDA inspector general and the Justice Department investigated and found evidence of inhumane treatment. USDA inspectors cannot review every facility each year, despite their mandate to do so, because of their limited resources, and inspect about 65 percent of them instead, the Congressional Research Service reported this year. Only about 0.008% of the agency’s most recent budget of $430 billion goes to enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, according to Eric Kleiman, a researcher at the Animal Welfare Institute, an advocacy group. The figures were confirmed by Reuters. “This funding is a pittance, as you can see, compared to the wealth, size and power of, say, many research facilities, let alone Elon Musk,” Kleiman said. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Probe of Musk's Neuralink to scrutinise long-criticised US animal welfare regulator for oversight

Elon Musk's Neuralink, is under federal investigation over alleged animal-welfare violations amid internal staff complaints. Watch this video to know more.

Elon Musk's Neuralink faces federal probe, says report