Reuters: US authorities are investigating animal cruelty by Neuralink

Neuralink Brain Implant Developer Elon Musk Suspected of Animal Cruelty by U.S. Authorities, Reports Reuters. The authorities launched an investigation into the company several months ago, but it has not yet been reported.

The reason for the investigation was dozens of complaints received by the authorities from former and current employees of Neuralink. They argue that the company’s specialists, under pressure from Elon Musk, are forced to conduct all research and tests in an accelerated mode, which is why the number of unsuccessful experiments that are associated with the death of animals is growing. About this Reuters told more than 20 employees of the company. In addition, information about this is confirmed by Neuralink’s internal documentation, which was at the disposal of the agency’s journalists.

A federal investigation was launched a few months ago by the USDA at the request of a federal prosecutor. The company is being tested for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, which regulates how researchers treat animals in scientific experiments.

Since 2018, the company has killed a total of about 1,500 animals in experiments, including more than 280 sheep, pigs and monkeys, according to Reuters. This is an estimate, as the company does not maintain accurate statistics and is not required by US law. Neuralink has also done research using rats and mice.

According to the agency, Neuralink had previously successfully passed inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture, and in itself a large number of killed animals does not indicate a violation of the law. However, former and current employees of the company insist that the number of animals killed could have been much lower.

Neither Elon Musk nor other representatives of Neuralink have yet commented on information about the investigation. A USDA spokesman declined to comment.

Kirill Sarkhanyants