Exclusive: Musk’s Neuralink faces federal probe, employee backlash over animal tests


FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk arrives at the In America: An Anthology of Fashion themed Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, U.S., May 2, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

(Reuters) - Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a medical device company, is under federal investigation for potential animal-welfare violations amid internal staff complaints that its animal testing is being rushed, causing needless suffering and deaths, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and sources familiar with the investigation and company operations.

Neuralink Corp is developing a brain implant it hopes will help paralyzed people walk again and cure other neurological ailments. The federal probe, which has not been previously reported, was opened in recent months by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Inspector General at the request of a federal prosecutor, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation. The probe, one of the sources said, focuses on violations of the Animal Welfare Act, which governs how researchers treat and test some animals.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Tech News

X down for thousands of US users, Downdetector data finds
Musk says steps to stop Russia from using Starlink seem to have worked
French tech company Capgemini to sell US unit linked to ICE
Indonesia lets Elon Musk's Grok resume, lifting ban over sexualised images
I'm a parent, how worried should I be about AI?
Elon Musk's Grok generated 3 million sexualised images in just 11 days, new analysis finds
After robotaxi hits child, Waymo says its software prevented worse
Elon Musk says ‘singularity’ is here – What to know about AI threats to humanity
Waymo seeking about $16 billion near $110 billion valuation, Bloomberg News reports
Bitcoin falls below $80,000, continuing decline as liquidity worries mount

Others Also Read