Neuralink, the brain-implant company owned by Elon Musk, has filled its animal-research oversight board with insiders who could potentially financially benefit as the company reaches development goals, according to company documents and interviews with six current and former employees. These oversight boards are required by law for organisations conducting experiments on certain types of animals to ensure proper animal care, high research standards and reliable data.
The membership of the Neuralink panel raises questions about potential conflict-of-interest regulations aimed at protecting research integrity, a dozen animal-research and bioethics experts told Reuters. Neuralink is conducting animal experiments in order to seek regulatory approval for human trials of a brain chip intended to help paralyzed people type with their minds.
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As of late 2022, 19 of the 22 members of the oversight board were Neuralink employees, according to a company document reviewed by Reuters. The board’s chair was the executive responsible for Neuralink’s animal-care program and at least 11 other members were employees directly involved with animal care or research. These details about the board’s membership and potential conflicts were previously unknown.
