Neuralink—Neuralink animal testing resulted in deaths of over 1,500 animals amid rushed protocols and USDA investigation
Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 1,500 animals including monkeys, pigs, and sheep died during Neuralink's brain implant research. Internal staff reported Elon Musk pressured teams to accelerate timelines, leading to botched surgeries - 25 pigs died from wrong-size implants. Monkeys suffered chronic infections, paralysis, and brain swelling. The USDA opened a probe in December 2022, and the DOT investigated improper handling of hazardous pathogens. The internal animal care committee was chaired by a Neuralink executive with financial stake in the company.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Research Integrity | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.572 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.57)× agency (negligent ×0.5)
Evidence (1 signal)
Reuters investigation revealed 1,500 animal deaths and USDA probe into Neuralink testing practices
Reuters reported that approximately 1,500 animals were killed during Neuralink testing between 2018-2022, with internal staff blaming Elon Musk's pressure to accelerate timelines. The USDA opened a federal probe in December 2022.