Elon Musk’s controversial biotechnology startup Neuralink opened up recruitment for its first human clinical trial Tuesday, according to a company blog.

After receiving approval from an independent review board, Neuralink is set to begin offering brain implants to paralysis patients as part of the PRIME Study, the company said. PRIME, short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, is being carried out to evaluate both the safety and functionality of the implant.

Trial patients will have a chip surgically placed in the part of the brain that controls the intention to move. The chip, installed by a robot, will then record and send brain signals to an app, with the initial goal being “to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone,” the company wrote.

 

 

Those with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the six-year-long study – 18 months of at-home and clinic visits followed by follow-up visits over five years. Interested people can sign up in the patient registry on Neuralink’s website.

 

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Resistance is futile you Will submit 

I support research on Brain implants 

But I have changed my mind on brain transplants. 

I wish them every success...

Just wait until Qanon gets a hold of this little gem.

1 hour ago, wombat said:

I wish them every success...

If it affords quadriplegics some quality of life, go for it...

Lets face it, this is the next step after the life of Stephen Hawkins.

5 hours ago, Tug said:

Resistance is futile you Will submit 

If all borg women were as hot a 7, I'm all game

Seriously, I applaud the concept. I just REALLY don't trust the moron at the steering wheel on this nightmare coming down the pike!

All the participants developed an uncontrollable urge to buy a Tesla.

It would be interesting to know, should implants become openly available, how much they would cost. In the US I can only guess it will be exorbitantly expensive and insurance companies might be put off paying for it if it doesn't lead to patients being able to pay their premiums. 

...

Edited September 21, 20232 yr by Pouatchee

15 hours ago, Tug said:

Resistance is futile you Will submit 

Your body flying down a crowded freeway, Elon holding pedal down, you screaming in terror all the way.