Co-founder Elon Musk's Neuralink Parting Due to Alleged Safety Disputes

Co-founder Elon Musk's Neuralink Parting Due to Alleged Safety Disputes

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Hellooo, mate! Ever pondered about Elon Musk messing around with your noggin? That's a question we might all face down the line if his brain-computer interface firm, Neuralink, takes off. But if you're game for brain surgery, you might want to take a gander at what one of Neuralink's co-founders, Dr. Benjamin Rapoport, had to say during a chat on the Wall Street Journal podcast.

In the May 3 episode of The Wall Street Journal's podcast The Future of Everything, the journal sat down with Rapoport. During the interview, a provocative piece of the discussion stood out: Rapoport's hint that he left Neuralink due to some safety concerns.

"You co-founded Neuralink alongside Elon Musk, and you ended up leaving to start Precision. Why did you decide to leave and start a new company?" asked the Wall Street Journal's Danny Lewis, to which Rapaport replied, "I've dedicated most of my professional life to bringing neural interfaces from the realm of science to the realm of medicine. But I felt that, to transition to the world of medicine and technology, safety is essential."

Rapaport further elaborated that, for a medical device to be safe, minimal invasiveness must be prioritized. Traditionally, it was believed that to extract high-quality data from the brain, we needed to stick tiny, needle-like electrodes into it. However, that method has its drawbacks: it creates some degree of brain damage upon insertion. Rapaport was convinced that it was possible to get information-rich data without damaging the brain.

Established on these principles, Rapaport created Precision Neuroscience, a company he believes stands out from Neuralink due to its commitment to "minimal invasiveness, scalability, and safety."

The Neuralink system is based on penetrating microelectrodes, while the Precision system uses surface microelectrodes that adhere to the brain's surface without penetrating it.

Brain-computer interfaces have skyrocketed in recent years, enabling individuals to operate machines with their thoughts. While companies like Musk's Neuralink often steal the limelight, other firms, such as Synchron, Paradromics, and Precision Neuroscience, are also making waves. Each company has a unique take on just how invasive the technology should be.

Critics have voiced concerns about Neuralink's technology, labeling it "neuroscience theater" back in 2020, and allegations of monkey torture emerged in 2022. It was reported that fifteen monkeys died at a Neuralink facility between 2017 and 2020. Musk, however, dismissed these claims, saying the monkeys were living in "monkey heaven."

Despite the controversy, there's still plenty of enthusiasm about the potential of brain-computer interfaces. Neuralink recently published a video of a Neuralink patient playing video games with his mind, and there are more than a few folks on social media eager to test out Musk's experimental brain-computer interface technology.

We reached out to Dr. Rapoport through Precision Neuroscience's website but didn't receive a response. Neuralink also didn't respond to our email. As for safety concerns raised by Rapaport, it's important to note that additional direct sources from Neuralink or statements by Dr. Rapaport would be necessary for more specific information.

Enrichment Insights (15%):- Surgical Risks: Brain surgery risks may include brain hemorrhage and seizures, which are complex to manage due to the novelty of brain-computer interfaces.- Device Removal Risks: There's a potential risk of brain damage upon removal of devices like those used by Neuralink.- Overheating and Battery Risks: Concerns have been raised over overheating of the chips and potential risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in brain-computer interfaces.- Animal Testing Results: In animal tests, issues like paralysis, seizures, and brain swelling have been reported. However, Neuralink claims no fatalities have occurred.- Cybersecurity Risks: The vulnerability of brain-computer interfaces to hacking over wireless connections poses a significant risk, potentially compromising user privacy and security.

1. Elon Musk, the founder of Neuralink, is known for his work on technology that interfaces with the human brain.
2. Dr. Benjamin Rapaport, a co-founder of Neuralink, left the company in pursuit of safety and minimal invasiveness, founding Precision Neuroscience.
3. Precision Neuroscience, unlike Neuralink, uses surface microelectrodes that adhere to the brain's surface without penetrating it, potentially reducing the risk of brain damage.
4. In 2022, allegations of animal torture emerged at a Neuralink facility, where fifteen monkeys were reported to have died between 2017 and 2020.

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