In an exclusive revelation, records from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) indicate that Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a brain-implant company, faced fines for breaching hazardous material transport regulations. The DOT investigations in February 2023 at Neuralink’s facilities in Texas and California uncovered multiple violations.
Violations Uncovered:
1. Failure to Register:
Neuralink had failed to register itself as a transporter of hazardous materials, as revealed by the DOT’s inspection records.
2. Improper Packaging:
Hazardous waste, including the flammable liquid Xylene, was inadequately packaged. Xylene, a substance known for causing various health issues, raised concerns about potential harm.
DOT Penalties and Response:
1. Fine Imposed:
Neuralink incurred a fine of $2,480 for the violations, a reduced amount from the initial assessment. The company opted to rectify the identified problems, leading to a lowered penalty.
2. Reasons for Transportation Unclear:
The records do not specify why Neuralink was transporting hazardous materials or whether any adverse consequences resulted from the violations.
3. Closed Inquiry:
A spokesperson from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the investigating DOT agency, confirmed the violations, the fine, and mentioned that the inquiry is now closed.
Neuralink’s FDA Clearance and Trial:
1. FDA Clearance:
Despite the DOT violations, Neuralink obtained clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its initial human trial last year, a significant achievement for the company.
2. Trial Announcement:
In September, Neuralink announced a trial to assess the safety of its brain implant, allowing individuals with paralysis to control external devices using their thoughts.
3. Trial Process:
The trial involves a robot surgically placing “ultra-fine” threads of the implant in participants’ brains to facilitate signal transmission.
Background and DOT Inquiry:
1. Previous Complaints:
The DOT inquiry followed internal complaints by Neuralink employees, reported by Reuters last year, raising concerns about rushed animal experiments causing unnecessary suffering and deaths.
2. Transportation Concerns:
The Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an advocacy group against animal use in medical research, had previously informed the DOT about potential transport violations related to brain implants used in monkey experiments.
3. Infectious Substance Claims Disproved:
Despite PCRM’s concerns, the DOT records reveal no evidence of Neuralink shipping items containing infectious substances.
Closing Remarks:
Neuralink’s violations, as exposed by the DOT records, emphasize the importance of adhering to safety regulations in advanced medical research. The repercussions of such violations, coupled with ongoing trials, highlight the need for rigorous oversight and ethical practices in groundbreaking scientific endeavors.
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Credit: Marisa Taylor