Caption: neuralink
Neuralink, a brain-computer interface company owned by Elon Musk, was fined for violating the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations on the transportation of dangerous goods, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records.
In February 2023, U.S. Department of Transportation investigators discovered that Neuralink failed to register as a hazmat transporter during inspections of Neuralink's Texas and California facilities, according to DOT records. They also found that Neuralink improperly packaged hazardous waste, including flammable liquid xylene. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, xylene can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and even death.
Records show that the U.S. Department of Transportation fined Neuralink a total of $2,480 (about 1.).RMB 80,000), which is lower than the amount of the fine initially assessed, as Neuralink agreed to address the issues. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazmat Safety Administration. A spokesperson for the bureau confirmed that Neuralink had committed irregularities and was fined, and said the investigation was now closed.
In 2023, there were reports that Neuralink employees filed internal complaints alleging that animal testing carried out by the company was carried out in too much haste, causing unnecessary suffering and death. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched an investigation.
The American Council of Responsible Medical Physicians (PCRM) obtained documents detailing the Neuralink breach through a public records application. The committee is an advocacy organization against the use of animals in medical research. The records do not explain why Neuralink needed to transport dangerous goods, nor did they say whether the violation caused harm.
Neuralink's breach once again exposed the company's sloppy, unsafe practices. Ryan Merkley, PCRM's director of research advocacy, said.
PCRM also wrote to the U.S. Department of Transportation last year that Neuralink may have shipped brain implants for monkey trials in 2019 without proper controls. The implants may be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant staphylococci and herpes B virus, the organization said. However, the latest records show that the U.S. Department of Transportation has not found any evidence that Neuralink has shipped any items containing infectious substances.
Last year, Neuralink received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a first-in-human implant trial, a major milestone for the company. Based on private** deals, Neuralink is valued at up to $5 billion. Neuralink announced in September last year that human trials would evaluate the safety of its implants, enabling paralyzed patients to mind-control external devices. During the study, Neuralink said, a robot developed by the company would surgically place "ultra-thin wires" of implants in the patient's brain to help transmit signals.
As of press time, Neuralink has not yet commented.